Florida Statutes 97.0575 – Third-party voter registration organizations
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(1) Before engaging in any voter registration activities, a third-party voter registration organization must register and provide to the division, in an electronic format, the following information:
For details, see Fla. Stat. § 775.082(3)(e)
(a) The names of the officers of the organization and the name and permanent address of the organization.
Attorney's Note
Under the Florida Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Felony of the third degree | up to 5 years | up to $5,000 |
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 97.0575
- Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
(b) The name and address of the organization’s registered agent in the state.
(c) The names, permanent addresses, and temporary addresses, if any, of each registration agent registering persons to vote in this state on behalf of the organization. This paragraph does not apply to persons who only solicit applications and do not collect or handle voter registration applications.
(d) Beginning November 6, 2024, the specific general election cycle for which the third-party voter registration organization is registering persons to vote.
(e) An affirmation that each person collecting or handling voter registration applications on behalf of the third-party voter registration organization has not been convicted of a felony violation of the Election Code, a felony violation of an offense specified in s. 825.103, a felony offense specified in s. 98.0751(2)(b) or (c), or a felony offense specified in chapter 817, chapter 831, or chapter 837. A third-party voter registration organization is liable for a fine in the amount of $50,000 for each such person who has been convicted of a felony violation of the Election Code, a felony violation of an offense specified in s. 825.103, a felony offense specified in s. 98.0751(2)(b) or (c), or a felony offense specified in chapter 817, chapter 831, or chapter 837 who is collecting or handling voter registration applications on behalf of the third-party voter registration organization.
(f) An affirmation that each person collecting or handling voter registration applications on behalf of the third-party voter registration organization is a citizen of the United States of America. A third-party voter registration organization is liable for a fine in the amount of $50,000 for each such person who is not a citizen and is collecting or handling voter registration applications on behalf of the third-party voter registration organization.
(2) Beginning November 6, 2024, the registration of a third-party voter registration organization automatically expires at the conclusion of the specific general election cycle for which the third-party voter registration organization is registered.
(3) The division or the supervisor of elections shall make voter registration forms available to third-party voter registration organizations. All such forms must contain information identifying the organization to which the forms are provided. The division shall maintain a database of all third-party voter registration organizations and the voter registration forms assigned to the third-party voter registration organization. Each supervisor of elections shall provide to the division information on voter registration forms assigned to and received from third-party voter registration organizations. The information must be provided in a format and at times as required by the division by rule. The division shall update information on third-party voter registrations daily and make the information publicly available.
(4) A third-party voter registration organization that collects voter registration applications shall provide a receipt to an applicant upon accepting possession of his or her application. The division shall adopt by rule a uniform format for the receipt by October 1, 2023. The format must include, but need not be limited to, the name of the applicant, the date the application is received, the name of the third-party voter registration organization, the name of the registration agent, the applicant’s political party affiliation, and the county in which the applicant resides.
(5)(a) A third-party voter registration organization that collects voter registration applications serves as a fiduciary to the applicant and shall ensure that any voter registration application entrusted to the organization, irrespective of party affiliation, race, ethnicity, or gender, is promptly delivered to the division or the supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant resides within 10 days after the application is completed by the applicant, but not after registration closes for the next ensuing election. If a voter registration application collected by any third-party voter registration organization is not promptly delivered to the division or supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant resides, the third-party voter registration organization is liable for the following fines:
1. A fine in the amount of $50 per each day late, up to $2,500, for each application received by the division or the supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant resides more than 10 days after the applicant delivered the completed voter registration application to the third-party voter registration organization or any person, entity, or agent acting on its behalf. A fine in the amount of $2,500 for each application received if the third-party voter registration organization or person, entity, or agency acting on its behalf acted willfully.
2. A fine in the amount of $100 per each day late, up to $5,000, for each application collected by a third-party voter registration organization or any person, entity, or agent acting on its behalf, before book closing for any given election for federal or state office and received by the division or the supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant resides after the book-closing deadline for such election. A fine in the amount of $5,000 for each application received if the third-party voter registration organization or any person, entity, or agency acting on its behalf acted willfully.
3. A fine in the amount of $500 for each application collected by a third-party voter registration organization or any person, entity, or agent acting on its behalf, which is not submitted to the division or supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant resides. A fine in the amount of $5,000 for any application not submitted if the third-party voter registration organization or person, entity, or agency acting on its behalf acted willfully.
The aggregate fine which may be assessed pursuant to this paragraph against a third-party voter registration organization, including affiliate organizations, for violations committed in a calendar year is $250,000.
(b) A showing by the third-party voter registration organization that the failure to deliver the voter registration application within the required timeframe is based upon force majeure or impossibility of performance shall be an affirmative defense to a violation of this subsection. The secretary may waive the fines described in this subsection upon a showing that the failure to deliver the voter registration application promptly is based upon force majeure or impossibility of performance.
(6) If a person collecting voter registration applications on behalf of a third-party voter registration organization alters the voter registration application of any other person, without the other person’s knowledge and consent, in violation of s. 104.012(4) and is subsequently convicted of such offense, the applicable third-party voter registration organization is liable for a fine in the amount of $5,000 for each application altered.
(7) If a person collecting voter registration applications on behalf of a third-party voter registration organization copies a voter’s application or retains a voter’s personal information, such as the voter’s Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number, social security number, or signature, for any reason other than to provide such application or information to the third-party voter registration organization in compliance with this section, the person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(8) If the Secretary of State reasonably believes that a person has committed a violation of this section, the secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General for enforcement. The Attorney General may institute a civil action for a violation of this section or to prevent a violation of this section. An action for relief may include a permanent or temporary injunction, a restraining order, or any other appropriate order.
(9) The division shall adopt by rule a form to elicit specific information concerning the facts and circumstances from a person who claims to have been registered to vote by a third-party voter registration organization but who does not appear as an active voter on the voter registration rolls. The division shall also adopt rules to ensure the integrity of the registration process, including controls to ensure that all completed forms are promptly delivered to the division or a supervisor in the county in which the applicant resides.
(10) The date on which an applicant signs a voter registration application is presumed to be the date on which the third-party voter registration organization received or collected the voter registration application.
(11) A third-party voter registration organization may not mail or otherwise provide a voter registration application upon which any information about an applicant has been filled in before it is provided to the applicant. A third-party voter registration organization that violates this section is liable for a fine in the amount of $50 for each such application.
(12) The requirements of this section are retroactive for any third-party voter registration organization registered with the department as of July 1, 2023, and must be complied with within 90 days after the department provides notice to the third-party voter registration organization of the requirements contained in this section. Failure of the third-party voter registration organization to comply with the requirements within 90 days after receipt of the notice shall automatically result in the cancellation of the third-party voter registration organization’s registration.