A major rewrite of Florida election law is awaiting the signature of Ron DeSantis after the Legislature approved HB 991, a sweeping elections bill that incorporates key provisions from its Senate companion, SB 1334. The measure passed the Senate 27–12 and the House 77–28 on March 12, 2026.

Supporters say the bill strengthens election integrity by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship during voter registration, verifying records through Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles databases, and creating an “unverified voter” status when citizenship cannot be confirmed.

However, the new requirements could create barriers for eligible voters, particularly people whose legal documents do not match their current identification. Women who changed their names after marriage, seniors with older records, students, and some first-time voters could face additional paperwork or delays. Voters flagged as “unverified” may also be required to cast provisional ballots until documentation issues are resolved.

The legislation also narrows which IDs may be accepted at polling places, with reports indicating that student IDs and retirement community IDs would no longer qualify.

If signed, the law would take effect January 1, 2027, applying after the 2026 election cycle. 

How this Change Affects Women Who’ve Changed Their Names