HB991 requires verification of U.S. citizenship for all voter-registration applicants, and indication of a person's legal status on any new, replacement, or renewal driver license or identification card.
The Senate passed HB991 on March 12, 2026, by a vote of 27 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because this bill closes a significant loophole in the voter-registration process that risks electoral fraud. Article VI, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution clearly indicates that "Only a citizen of the United States" may register to vote. The American people alone retain the "right of Representation in the Legislature," and qualified U.S.-citizen voters in Florida should not be disenfranchised. State lawmakers must exercise the full extent of their authority under Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, in conjunction with the 14th and 26th Amendments, to implement free, fair, and secure elections, thereby ensuring equal protection of "the right of citizens of the United States to vote."
United States Constitution
Article I Section 4
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
United States Constitution
14th Amendment Section 1
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
United States Constitution
26th Amendment Section 1
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
