The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for April 3, 2026
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 991 April 1st, a state version of the still pending SAVE America Act. Within minutes of the signing, multiple pro-voter groups sued, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution, and harms thousands more eligible voters than prevents the rare fraudulent one.
The Florida Phoenix reports that every Florida voter’s citizenship status, new or existing, will now be run through Florida’s DMV records prior to approval. If no citizenship documents are on file, voters must provide proof, including a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a U.S. birth certificate or passport, a naturalization certificate or alien registration number, a current federal ID, a state-issued ID which includes a citizenship designation, or a court order granting citizenship.
The bill also further narrows acceptable IDs for voting, including eliminating student photo IDs as an option. Almost a million students attend Florida colleges. During debate on the bill, the sponsor said over 872,000 Floridians don’t have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license.
Immediately after DeSantis signed the bill a coalition of pro-voter groups sued, citing the 1st and 14th amendments. They argue that HB 991 burdens voters with sometimes inaccessible documentation, including the elderly and unhoused, and those who have changed names, including hundreds of thousands of married women.
We’ve linked to both the new law and the lawsuit at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Florida Phoenix – Florida Legislature approves bill requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship
Florida Phoenix – DeSantis signs bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote — voting rights group sue
Florida State Senate – Summary of HB 991 — Elections
Pro-Voter Groups’ Lawsuit – COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE AND DECLARATORY RELIEF
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Florida Legislature Passes State Version of the SAVE America Act. Its Proof of Citizenship & Voter ID Rules May Disenfranchise Thousands.
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters of Florida, ACLU FL, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Florida Rising, Common Cause, Hispanic Federation, and UnidosUS
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #Florida #RonDesantis #Disenfranchised #VoterSuppression #HB991