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Today’s Entry: Brian, you discussed the need for additional election integrity measures by the state, and shortly afterward a new proposal was taken up in Tallahassee. Did you have a hand in that legislation? If not, what do you think of what’s been proposed?
Bottom Line: I suppose I couldn’t have planned the timing of Tuesday’s Q&A any better as new election integrity standards were introduced in Tuesday’s session which was immediately acted upon in committee. No, I didn’t have a hand in that proposal, at least not that I’m aware of.
So, the timing was coincidental. Senate Bill 524 entitled Elections includes several controversial topics.
Straight away you can see this proposal was inspired in part by the governor as it includes a new state office to investigate voter fraud. Something he outlined as a priority prior to the session. You also get a sense that Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried also inspired the campaign finance provision. Fried repeatedly violated finance disclosures during her term yet hasn’t faced any punitive action as Florida’s existing law lacks teeth to punish offenders.
As for what I think? Let's get to the facts. On the Office of Election Crimes and Security, I approve as I’ve repeatedly discussed in recent months – Florida currently has 156 officially referred yet unprosecuted cases of voter fraud. Almost all of them are in South Florida. If our prosecutors won’t prosecute voter fraud, we need someone who will.
Now, regarding the raising of the limit on fines imposed for voter registration groups who run afoul of the law? It’s currently only $1,000. What’s that to most of these highly funded interest groups? It’s a no-brainer to raise the threshold. On the proposal for a sworn oath verifying finance disclosures for political candidates, that’s another no-brainer. What’s the point in having mandatory financial disclosures if there aren’t any meaningful penalties for violating them?
On the ranked-choice ban. We’ve seen over the years that there are a lot of ways to botch voting tabulations. Previous elections supervisors in Broward and Palm Beach County seemingly found them all. In the grand scheme of awful election ideas, this one is way up there. The very idea of ranked-choice introduces unnecessary levels of confusion with voters. While it’s not in place anywhere in Florida as of now, there have been rumblings of it coming to certain counties. Making sure it doesn’t happen makes a lot of sense to me.
As for the ability for election supervisors to designate two more early voting locations? As someone who has early voted in every election since 2006, it’s a real mixed bag out there. During most elections, it’s a smooth and easy process. During Presidential elections, it can take well over an hour. Florida’s population obviously continues to rapidly grow. It probably makes sense to have early voting reflect that reality.
Finally, the adding of a Social Security number or state ID number as a requirement to request a vote-by-mail ballot will likely be deemed to be the most controversial proposal of all. It’s likely the most important. Out of the pending voter fraud cases which haven’t been pursued by prosecutors in South Florida – the most common fraud identified is non-citizens voting in elections. So, there you have it. A fact-based case as to why this new election integrity proposal should become law in Florida. And yes, right on cue.
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