§ 97.058 Voter registration agencies.
Overview of Statute
This statute provides an overview of the questions on the forms that voter registration agencies must provide to individuals who want to register to vote. It also governs the behavior and activities of voter registration agencies, and individuals who work for them.
Statute
(2) Each voter registration agency, other than a public library, must develop and provide each applicant with a form approved by the department containing all of the following:
(a) The questions:
- “If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register to vote today?”
- “If you are registered to vote where you live now, would you like to update your voter registration record?”
(b) For agencies providing public assistance, the statement, “Applying to register or declining to register to vote will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency.”
(c) Boxes for the applicant to check which indicate that:
- The applicant would like to register to vote or update a current voter registration;
- The applicant would like to decline to register to vote; or
- The applicant is already registered to vote and does not need to update the voter registration, together with the statement, “If you do not check any box, you will be considered to have decided not to register to vote or update a voter registration at this time.”
(d) The statement, “If you would like help in filling out the voter registration application, we will help you. The decision whether to seek or accept help is yours. You may fill out the voter registration application in private.”
(e) The statement, “If you believe that someone has interfered with your right to register or to decline to register to vote, your right to privacy in deciding whether to register or in applying to register to vote, or your right to choose your own political party or other political preference, you may file a complaint with the Secretary of State.”
(f) The address and telephone number of the appropriate office in the department where a complaint may be filed.
(g) A statement that all declinations will remain confidential and may be used only for voter registration purposes.
(h) A statement that informs the applicant who chooses to register to vote or update a voter registration record that the office at which the applicant submits a voter registration application or updates a voter registration record will remain confidential and may be used only for voter registration purposes.
(b) A voter registration agency must provide to each applicant under subsection (1) the voter registration application that the agency decides to use pursuant to paragraph (a). An applicant who indicates a desire to register to vote or update a voter registration record must be provided the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of that voter registration application as is provided by the agency with regard to the completion of its own forms, unless the applicant refuses that assistance.
(8) A person providing voter registration services for a voter registration agency may not:
(a) Seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration;
(b) Display any political preference or party allegiance;
(c) Make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect of which is to lead the applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to register has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits;
(d) Make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect of which is to discourage the applicant from registering to vote; or
(e) Disclose any applicant’s voter registration information except as needed for the administration of voter registrations.
History:
s. 14, ch. 94-224; s. 3, ch. 2002-189; s. 10, ch. 2005-278.
- Cross-References:
- Methods of Registration
- Voter Registration
1. Definition for Department
The Department of State. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(7).
2. Definition for Supervisor
The supervisor of elections. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(36).
3. Definition for Public Assistance
Assistance provided through the food assistance program under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Medicaid program; the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children; and the Temporary Cash Assistance Program. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(31).
4. Definition for Voter Registration Agency
Any office that provides public assistance, any office that serves persons with disabilities, any center for independent living, or any public library. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(42).
5. Definition for Person
An individual or a corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, club, organization, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. The term includes a political party, affiliated party committee, or political committee. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(14).
6. Definition for Election
Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).
Regulations & Guidance
Additional Resources
Further Reading
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Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 53, Voter registration agency
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0050 SURVEYS 9; Voter Registration