House Passes Vero Beach Senator's Voter ID Bill Requiring Citizenship Proof

A voter identification bill with ties to the Treasure Coast is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis after the Florida House passed the measure Thursday. Its new requirements would not affect any election until after the 2026 cycle.

The House approved HB 991 on a 77-28 vote along party lines. The bill would require Florida voters to prove citizenship at the ballot box, but the law would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2027. Voters in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties would first encounter the new requirements in elections held that year or later.

Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, is sponsoring the companion measure in the Senate. Grall represents Indian River County and portions of St. Lucie County in the Florida Senate.

The legislation passed the House with no Democratic support recorded in the 77-28 tally. The delayed implementation date gives election supervisors in the three Treasure Coast counties time to update voter registration systems and public-facing materials before the requirements become enforceable.

The bill now awaits action from Gov. DeSantis. If signed, county supervisors of elections in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties would be responsible for administering the new identification requirements beginning with elections in 2027.

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