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Florida > The Florida Election Code > Qualification And Registration Of Electors Florida Voter Registration Act

§ 97.1031 Notice of change of residence, change of name, or change of party affiliation.

Overview of Statute

This statute governs the process by which registered voters must notify supervisors of elections if they have a change of residence, name, or party affiliation.

Statute

(1)(a) When an elector changes his or her residence address, the elector must notify the supervisor of elections. Except as provided in paragraph (b), an address change must be submitted using a voter registration application.
(b) If the address change is within the state and notice is provided to the supervisor of elections of the county where the elector has moved, the elector may do so by:
  1. Contacting the supervisor of elections via telephone or electronic means, in which case the elector must provide his or her date of birth; or
  2. Submitting the change on a voter registration application or other signed written notice.
(2) When an elector seeks to change party affiliation, the elector shall notify his or her supervisor of elections or other voter registration official by using a signed written notice that contains the elector’s date of birth or voter registration number. When an elector changes his or her name by marriage or other legal process, the elector shall notify his or her supervisor of elections or other voter registration official by using a signed written notice that contains the elector’s date of birth or voter’s registration number.
(3) The voter registration official shall make the necessary changes in the elector’s records as soon as practical upon receipt of such notice of a change of address of legal residence, name, or party affiliation. The supervisor of elections shall issue the new voter information card.

History:

s. 7, ch. 78-403; s. 5, ch. 80-292; s. 21, ch. 94-224; s. 29, ch. 97-13; s. 31, ch. 99-2; s. 3, ch. 2000-250; s. 5, ch. 2002-189; s. 14, ch. 2005-278; s. 5, ch. 2005-286; s. 8, ch. 2011-40.

Definition [Voter Registration Official]

Any supervisor of elections or individual authorized by the Secretary of State to accept voter registration applications and execute updates to the statewide voter registration system. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(43).

Definition [Issue]

A proposition that is required by the State Constitution, by law or resolution of the Legislature, or by the charter, ordinance, or resolution of a political subdivision of this state to be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at an election, or a proposition for which a petition is circulated in order to have such proposition placed on the ballot at an election. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(13).

Definition [Elector]

“Elector” is synonymous with the word “voter” or “qualified elector or voter,” except where the word is used to describe presidential electors. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(15).

Definition [Election]

Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).

Cases

Florida Cases

Out-of-State Cases

Federal Cases

Case Name: Florida v. U.S.

Citation: 885 F. Supp. 2d 299

Federal District Court: D.D.C.

Year: 2012

Case URL: https://perma.cc/TS63-HLXB

Case Summary: Not preclearing Florida's early voting changes under § 5 of the Voting Rights Act, because the State failed to satisfy its burden of proving that those changes would not have a retrogressive effect on minority voters. The changes required only a minimum number of early voting hours, and that number represented about half of the hours required under the prior law.

Regulations & Guidance

Additional Resources

Further Reading

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 58, Acceptance of voter registration applications; verification

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 61, Voter information cards

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 66, Change of elector's residence, name, or party

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 74, Members

  • APF Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Materials 6-1, CHANGE OF NAME