TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new bill filed in the Florida Legislature this week would make some changes to elections in the state.
That bill (SB 1334) was filed on Wednesday by Florida Sen. Erin Grall (R-Ft. Pierce), and it seeks to crack down on making sure that citizens in Florida are actually allowed to vote.
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For example, a new provision in the bill requires supervisors of elections to “immediately” verify a voter’s legal status every time the voter updates registration.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that the FLHSMV verify a voter’s legal status as a U.S. citizen before the online voter registration system transmits the application to the supervisor of elections.
However, the bill also features an addition to the state’s existing oath that residents must subscribe to before registering to vote.
If SB 1334 were to pass, the new oath would be as follows:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will protect and defend the Constitution of the Untied States and the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am qualified to register as an elector under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and that all information provided in this application is true.
I further do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a United States citizen and that I have carefully reviewed the instructions for completing the Florida Voter Registration Application. I understand that if I have provided false information on this application, I could be subject to criminal penalties, fines, or imprisonment for perjury, and, if not a United States citizen, deportation from the United States."
If SB 1334 is approved by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis during the upcoming Legislative session, it is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
That’s not the only oath that lawmakers are looking to amend, though. Another bill filed back in October makes a similar change for teachers who want to work in the state.
Under the proposal (HB 147), classroom teachers would have to abide by a constitutional oath before being allowed to teach in Florida. That oath reads as follows:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified for employment as a classroom teacher in this state; that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a classroom teacher in a professional, independent, objective, and nonpartisan manner; that I will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and professional ethics; that I will foster a respectful learning environment for all students, which promotes critical thinking, civic responsibility, and lifelong learning; and that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct and character, so help me God.”
If approved by the Legislature this year, the bill will take effect on July 1.
That being said, Florida already has a required oath for all state employees, including those who work for counties, cities, school boards and districts.
However, this oath simply requires a commitment to support the U.S. and state constitutions. By comparison, this latest proposal requires teachers to act in a “nonpartisan manner.”