Florida lawmakers have taken action against third-party organizations that violate voter registration laws, leading to a significant decrease in their operations in the Sunshine State. The legislature passed SB 7050 in 2023, which increased fines for various violations such as late submission of registration applications, improper completion of forms, and delivering applications to incorrect counties. The law also prohibited pre-filling registration forms and harvesting voter data. Fines are capped at $250,000 per year.
Counties have seen a noticeable drop in registrations returned since the law went into effect, with left-leaning Leon County experiencing a significant decrease. Some organizations, like Mi Vecino Florida, have shifted their focus to voter education instead of registration due to the potential financial risks involved.
Republican Secretary of State Cord Byrd emphasized the importance of holding third-party groups accountable for violating laws that disenfranchise voters. Byrd fined Hard Knocks Strategies $34,400 for repeated violations, including submitting registrations after deadlines and to the wrong counties.
This crackdown on illegal practices has led to a decrease in fraudulent voter registrations, with some of Hard Knocks Strategies’ agents even facing arrests for submitting fraudulent applications. The impact of the legislation has been significant, with organizations scaling down their operations in response to the stricter enforcement of voter registration laws in Florida.
