JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A duo of voting rights groups is suing the state in an effort to block a new law that will soon require voters to prove their citizenship before being able to register to vote.
Starting on January 1, 2027, Floridians will have to make sure they have documentation like a birth certificate, valid passport or naturalization certificate on file with the state in order to register to vote or remain on the voter rolls.
It’s part of a new state law passed earlier this year, often referred to as Florida’s SAVE Act, which aims to ensure voters prove they are actually US citizens.
Now, Black Voters Matter and the League of Latin American Citizens have filed a federal lawsuit, challenging the proof of citizenship requirement.
Matletha Bennette is a senior staff attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center, which is representing the voting rights organizations in the case.
She argued the proof of citizenship requirement violates the National Voting Rights Act, which only requires voters to attest that they are US citizens in order to register to vote, not provide documentation.
“Federal law requires the states to accept that form and accept an application that is completed through that form to be accepted as eligible to vote,” said Bennette.
Additionally, she argued the law threatens to disproportionately disenfranchise Floridians of color, as national surveys have shown those groups tend to have harder times accessing documentation like birth and naturalization certificates.
“Florida is one of the most racially, ethnically and culturally diverse states in the nation with a large population of Hispanic and Black individuals,” said Bennette. ”And so, it is needless to say this law disproportionately affects our state and affects our citizens in a really horrible way.”
Bennette explained SPLC is not seeking an immediate injunction, and is instead hoping to block the law sometime early next year.
She said that will give plaintiffs time to demonstrate the impact of the law when it’s put into practice.
“If you don’t have ready access to a birth certificate, if you get notification from the state that you will be removed from the voter rolls, definitely please reach out to our organization,” said Bennett. ”But please, do what you can to go and vote and to get the documentation that you need.”
Action News Jax reached out to the Florida Secretary of State’s Office for comment on the lawsuit.
We were simply told, “We do not comment on pending litigation”.
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