Florida's Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would impose several restrictions on voting and new penalties for those who don't follow them.
The big picture: The bill, passed by the state House on Wednesday, now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is expected to sign it. Florida is one of several states with GOP-controlled legislatures that have pushed to restrict voting access in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
- Georgia faced widespread controversy in March after becoming the first battleground state to pass widespread voting restrictions.
- Opponents of the legislation say the restrictions would disproportionately affect communities of color.
The Florida bill includes measures that would:
- Require identification for voters who want to submit a ballot by drop box.
- Bar nonpartisan groups from providing items “with the intent to influence” voters within a 150-foot radius of a polling location.
- Further limit who can collect and drop off absentee ballots.
- The bill passed the state House 77-40 and Senate 23-17, largely along party lines.
What they're saying: A spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis said he supports the bill, noting it "will ensure that Florida remains a national leader in election security, integrity and transparency," ABC News reports.
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