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HB 1419FLORIDA · STATEWIDESession 2026Died in Government Operations Subcommittee
High Impact

The Florida Voting Rights Act (HB 1419)

Original title: Elections

January 9, 2026

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently Died in Government Operations Subcommittee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

6 actions
  1. Jan 15, 2026House
    Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
  2. Jan 15, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred to State Affairs Committee
  3. Jan 15, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
  4. Jan 15, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
  5. Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
    1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
  6. Jan 9, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

This bill would fundamentally alter how elections are administered and monitored in Florida by shifting oversight from the Secretary of State to a new independent commission and creating new legal avenues for citizens to challenge election policies they believe suppress or dilute their votes.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Florida voters

Voters gain access to same-day registration, paid time off on election day, and new protections against voter suppression.

Local governments

Local governments must comply with new preclearance requirements for election policy changes and provide data to the new state database.

Individuals with felony convictions

These individuals gain access to a state-maintained database to verify their voting eligibility and receive legal protections for relying on that data.

Third-party voter registration organizations

These organizations face revised registration requirements, delivery deadlines, and penalty structures.

What changed

Current stage: Died in Government Operations Subcommittee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill proposes comprehensive changes to Florida's election laws, including the creation of a new Florida Voting Rights Act Commission, same-day voter registration, and automatic voter registration through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. It also establishes new protections against voter suppression and , creates a statewide voting database, and designates General Election Day as a paid holiday.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This bill would fundamentally alter how elections are administered and monitored in Florida by shifting oversight from the Secretary of State to a new independent commission and creating new legal avenues for citizens to challenge election policies they believe suppress or dilute their votes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register to vote on election day?
Yes, the bill authorizes same-day voter registration at early voting sites and polling places.
Does this bill change how my vote-by-mail ballot is verified?
Yes, it allows voters to use the last four digits of their social security number as an alternative to a signature for verification and provides a cure affidavit process for signature mismatches.
What happens if I am a person with a felony conviction?
The bill requires the Florida Commission on Offender Review to create a database to help you determine if your voting rights have been restored and provides legal protections if you vote based on information from that database.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Lobbying Activity

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2026

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of the No Political Enemies Act to prevent executive punishing of individuals or organizations for constitutionally protected speech, belies, viewpoints, or political participation. In support of amending DHS appropriation riders to improve oversight and accountability on Department of Homeland security surveillance. In opposition to the SAVE America Act and requiring unnecessary barriers to voting. In support of increasing federal election security funding and identifying risks to election security and confidence posed by executive orders. In support of encouraging congressional members to uphold their legal duty to seat future lawfully elected members of Congress from the midterm elections. In support of reforms that strengthening the independence of the Judge Advocate General Corps through reforms of notification to Congress on before their termination. In support of reforms to protect independent legal advice within DoD and protect the non-political nature of the armed forces. In support of reforming the national emergencies framework to prevent executive abuses. Advocating in support of reforms that would prevent the executive branch from harming First Amendment rights of broadcasters.

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2026

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of the No Political Enemies Act to prevent executive punishing of individuals or organizations for constitutionally protected speech, belies, viewpoints, or political participation. In support of amending DHS appropriation riders to improve oversight and accountability on Department of Homeland security surveillance. In opposition to the SAVE America Act and requiring unnecessary barriers to voting. In support of increasing federal election security funding and identifying risks to election security and confidence posed by executive orders. In support of encouraging congressional members to uphold their legal duty to seat future lawfully elected members of Congress from the midterm elections. In support of reforms that strengthening the independence of the Judge Advocate General Corps through reforms of notification to Congress on before their termination. In support of reforms to protect independent legal advice within DoD and protect the non-political nature of the armed forces. In support of reforming the national emergencies framework to prevent executive abuses. Advocating in support of reforms that would prevent the executive branch from harming First Amendment rights of broadcasters.

FGA ACTION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS OPPORTUNITY SOLUTIONS PROJECT)

$180,000

BGR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

on behalf of MELTSNER STRATEGIES ON BEHALF OF PROJECT FOR ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE

HB STRATEGIES

on behalf of KNOWINK

HB STRATEGIES

on behalf of LIBERTY VOTE

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2025

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of the No Political Enemies Act to prevent executive punishing of individuals or organizations for constitutionally protected speech, belies, viewpoints, or political participation. In support of exploring enhanced reporting requirements to the Defense Production Act in the NDAA and tariff issuance to prevent executive abuse. In opposition to FCCs retaliatory agenda by advocating for meaningful First Amendment limits on its ability to punish news organizations for the content they air or the editorial decisions they make. In consideration of the Empowering SPEECH Act which primarily aims to protect First Amendment rights and related freedoms on college campuses In support of reforms that strengthening the independence of the Judge Advocate General Corps through reforms of notification to Congress on before their termination. In opposition to arbitrary deployments of National Guard members to American cities. In support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act to address abuses of presidential power, election security and integrity, and improving the system of checks and balances. In opposition to requiring documentary proof of citizenship through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. In support of increasing federal election security funding. In support of maintaining the constitutional separation of powers ensuring that Congress has the power of the purse.

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2025

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of increasing federal election security funding. In opposition to DC Home Rule Act being used for the extended federal takeover of the DC police. In support of a resolution ending the declared emergency in D.C. In opposition to arbitrary deployments of National Guard members to American cities. In support of the No Political Enemies Act to prevent executive punishing of individuals or organization for constitutionally protected speech, belies, viewpoints, or political participation. In support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act to address abuses of presidential power, election security and integrity, and improving the system of checks and balances. In support of reforms to the National Emergencies Act to prevent executive abuse. In support of exploring enhanced reporting requirements to the Defense Production Act and tariff issuance to prevent executive abuse.

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2025

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In opposition to threats against the judiciary that erode constitutional safeguards, including the JUDGES Act (H.R. 1702), the PEPPER Act (H.R. 1789), the NORRA Act (H.R. 1526), and the Nationwide Injunction Abuse Prevention Act. In support of more robust funding to protect Congressional Members, staff, and families but also greater transparency on the threats. In support of judiciary security amendments to the reconciliation bill, (H.R.1) In support of the MARSHALS Act (S.1873) to transfer oversight of the U.S. Marshals to the judicial branch. In support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act to prevent abuses of Presidential power, restoring checks and balances and accountability and transparency in government, and defending elections against foreign interference In support of reforms to the National Emergencies Act. In opposition to the SAVE Act (H.R.22) and impediments to the right to vote. In support of federal election security funding. In opposition to the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund. In opposition to Executive impoundment of congressionally appropriated funds. In opposition to politicization of the armed forces. In support of more transparency around RIFs and protection of the federal civil service. In opposition to tax bill language designating non-profits as "supporters of terrorism." In opposition to reducing the funding of the Government Accountability Office.

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$60,000

2025

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of an amendment to the constitution regarding the presidential pardon power. Advocating for sets of questions to be asked during DOJ and OPM nominations to produce concessions and straight answers from nominees that might threaten the rule of law. In opposition to executive impoundments of Congressionally appropriated funds. In support of Congress's power of the purse powers during reconciliation process. In support of reforms to the National Emergencies Act through H.R.3988, the Article One Act. In opposition of the SAVE Act. In opposition to decreasing federal election funding, including funding for protection of elections officias and CISA. In support of proper enforcement of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and proper use of recess appointments powers. In opposition to the Reorganization Act. In support of protecting the right to vote and preparation for/prevention of election subversion and certification issues. In support of educating Congressional members on preventing abuse of executive power, including restoring Congress as a meaningful check on executive authority.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Shift in Election Oversight

The bill significantly reduces the power of the Secretary of State by transferring key election administration and enforcement duties to a new, independent commission.

Connected Entities

organizationGovernment Operations SubcommitteeThe bill is currently in this subcommittee.Map →
date2026-01-13The bill had its 1st reading on this date.Map →
organizationState Affairs CommitteeThe bill was referred to this committee.Map →
date2026-01-09The bill was filed on this date.Map →
organizationTransportation & Economic Development Budget SubcommitteeThe bill was referred to this subcommittee.Map →
date2026-01-15The bill was referred to various subcommittees on this date.Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance95
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy90
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment40
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz85
    Current news / social attention level

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