CHAPTER 100

100.011 Opening and closing of polls, all elections; expenses.

(1) The polls shall be open at the voting places at 7:00 a.m., on the day of the election, and shall be kept open until 7:00 p.m., of the same day, and the time shall be regulated by the customary time in standard use in the county seat of the locality. The inspectors shall make public proclamation of the opening and closing of the polls. During the election and canvass of the votes, the ballot box shall not be concealed. Any elector who is in line at the time of the official closing of the polls shall be allowed to cast a vote in the election.

(2) The time of opening and closing of the polls shall be observed in all elections held in this state, including municipal and school elections.

(3) The expenses of holding all elections for county and state offices necessarily incurred shall be paid out of the treasury of the county or state, as the case may be, in the same manner and by the same officers as in general elections.

(4)(

a) The provisions of any special law to the contrary notwithstanding, the expenses of holding a special district or community development district election, or the district’s proportionate share of regular election costs, as the case may be, shall be paid out of the district’s treasury and in the same manner as in general elections. This subsection applies to any district, whether created by or pursuant to special or general law, which is a special district as defined in s. 200.001(8)(

c) or a community development district as defined in s. 190.003(6).

History. — s. 23, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 177; s. 27, ch. 4328, 1895; GS 209; s. 8, ch. 6469, 1913; RGS 253, 306; CGL 309, 362; ss. 1, 2, ch. 20409, 1941; ss. 1, 2, ch. 22739, 1945; s. 4, ch. 25384, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 6, ch. 87-363; s. 53, ch. 89-169; s. 543, ch. 95-147; s. 4, ch. 96-327; s. 18, ch. 2005-277; s. 56, ch. 2014-22.

100.021 Notice of general election.

History. — s. 5, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 159; s. 6, ch. 4328, 1895; s. 4, ch. 4537, 1897; GS 176; RGS 220; CGL 255; s. 1, ch. 25383, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 3, ch. 83-251; s. 544, ch. 95-147.

100.025 Citizens residing overseas; notice of elections.

History. — s. 1, ch. 67-454; s. 8, ch. 69-280; s. 3, ch. 77-175; s. 16, ch. 81-304; s. 4, ch. 89-338; s. 16, ch. 94-224; s. 1389, ch. 95-147; s. 8, ch. 2016-37.

100.031 General election.

History. — s. 2, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 155; s. 2, ch. 4328, 1895; s. 1, ch. 4537, 1897; GS 171; RGS 216; CGL 251; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.032 Election preparation report; general election.

History. — s. 2, ch. 2013-57.

100.041 Officers chosen at general election.

(1) State senators shall be elected for terms of 4 years, those from odd-numbered districts in each year the number of which is a multiple of 4 and those from even-numbered districts in each even-numbered year the number of which is not a multiple of 4. Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for terms of 2 years in each even-numbered year. In each county, a clerk of the circuit court, sheriff, superintendent of schools, property appraiser, and tax collector shall be chosen by the qualified electors at the general election in each year the number of which is a multiple of 4.

The Governor and the administrative officers of the executive branch of the state shall be elected for terms of 4 years in each even-numbered year the number of which is not a multiple of 4. The terms of state offices other than the terms of members of the Legislature shall begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after said election. The term of office of each member of the Legislature shall begin upon election.

(2)(

a) Each county commissioner from an odd-numbered district shall be elected at the general election in each year the number of which is a multiple of 4, for a 4-year term commencing on the second Tuesday following such election, and each county commissioner from an even-numbered district shall be elected at the general election in each even-numbered year the number of which is not a multiple of 4, for a 4-year term commencing on the second Tuesday following such election. A county commissioner is “elected” for purposes of this paragraph on the date that the county canvassing board certifies the results of the election pursuant to s. 102.151.

(3)(

a) School board members shall be elected at a general election for terms of 4 years. The term of office of a school board member and of a superintendent of schools shall begin on the second Tuesday following the general election in which such member or superintendent is elected.

(4) The term of office of each county and each district officer not otherwise provided by law shall commence on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following his or her election.

History. — s. 3, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 156; s. 3, ch. 4328, 1895; s. 2, ch. 4537, 1897; GS 172; s. 10, ch. 7838, 1919; RGS 217; CGL 252; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 15, ch. 28156, 1953; s. 1, ch. 59-140; s. 1, ch. 63-479; s. 1, ch. 67-98; s. 1, ch. 67-510; s. 11, ch. 69-216; s. 1, ch. 69-300; (4) formerly s. 14, Art. XVIII of the Constitution of 1885, as amended; converted to statutory law by s. 10, Art. XII of the Constitution as revised in 1968; s. 1, ch. 73-47; s. 18, ch. 73-334; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 78-321; s. 21, ch. 79-164; s. 14, ch. 85-226; s. 1, ch. 88-85; s. 14, ch. 89-338; s. 545, ch. 95-147; s. 11, ch. 98-129; s. 20, ch. 2007-30.

100.051 Candidate’s name on general election ballot.

History. — s. 53, ch. 6469, 1913; RGS 357; CGL 414; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 3, ch. 70-269; s. 1, ch. 70-439; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 21, ch. 2007-30.

100.061 Primary election.

History. — s. 5, ch. 6469, 1913; RGS 303; CGL 359; s. 2, ch. 13761, 1929; s. 1, ch. 17897, 1937; s. 7, ch. 26329, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 57-166; s. 1, ch. 59-4; s. 1, ch. 69-1745; s. 4, ch. 83-251; s. 11, ch. 2005-286; s. 22, ch. 2007-30; s. 20, ch. 2011-40; s. 3, ch. 2013-57.

100.081 Nomination of county commissioners at primary election.

History. — s. 63, ch. 6469, 1913; s. 10, ch. 6874, 1915; RGS 362; CGL 419; s. 18, ch. 13761, 1929; CGL 1936 Supp. 424(2); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 11, ch. 69-216; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 12, ch. 2005-286.

100.101 Special elections and special primary elections.

(1) If no person has been elected at a general election to fill an office which was required to be filled by election at such general election.

(2) If a vacancy occurs in the office of state senator or member of the state house of representatives.

(3) If it is necessary to elect presidential electors, by reason of the offices of President and Vice President both having become vacant.

(4) If a vacancy occurs in the office of member from Florida of the House of Representatives of Congress.

History. — s. 4, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 158; s. 5, ch. 4328, 1895; GS 175; RGS 219; CGL 254; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 3, ch. 83-15; s. 19, ch. 2005-277; s. 21, ch. 2011-40.

100.102 Cost of special elections and special primary elections to be incurred by the state.

History. — s. 2, ch. 74-120; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.111 Filling vacancy.

(1)(

a) If any vacancy occurs in any office which is required to be filled pursuant to s. 1(f), Art. IV of the State Constitution and the remainder of the term of such office is 28 months or longer, then at the next general election a person shall be elected to fill the unexpired portion of such term, commencing on the first Tuesday after the first Monday following such general election.

(2) Whenever there is a vacancy for which a special election is required pursuant to s. 100.101, the Governor, after consultation with the Secretary of State, shall fix the dates of a special primary election and a special election. Nominees of political parties shall be chosen under the primary laws of this state in the special primary election to become candidates in the special election. Prior to setting the special election dates, the Governor shall consider any upcoming elections in the jurisdiction where the special election will be held.

The dates fixed by the Governor shall be specific days certain and shall not be established by the happening of a condition or stated in the alternative. The dates fixed shall provide a minimum of 2 weeks between each election. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of state senator or member of the House of Representatives when the Legislature is in regular legislative session, the minimum times prescribed by this subsection may be waived upon concurrence of the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of state senator and no session of the Legislature is scheduled to be held prior to the next general election, the Governor may fix the dates for the special primary election and for the special election to coincide with the dates of the primary election and general election.

If a vacancy in office occurs in any district in the state Senate or House of Representatives or in any congressional district, and no session of the Legislature, or session of Congress if the vacancy is in a congressional district, is scheduled to be held during the unexpired portion of the term, the Governor is not required to call a special election to fill such vacancy.

(3)(

a) In the event that death, resignation, withdrawal, or removal should cause a party to have a vacancy in nomination which leaves no candidate for an office from such party, the filing officer before whom the candidate qualified shall notify the chair of the state and county political party executive committee of such party and:

(4) A vacancy in nomination is not created if an order of a court that has become final determines that a nominee did not properly qualify or did not meet the necessary qualifications to hold the office for which he or she sought to qualify.

(5) In the event of unforeseeable circumstances not contemplated in these general election laws concerning the calling and holding of special primary elections and special elections resulting from court order or other unpredictable circumstances, the Department of State shall have the authority to provide for the conduct of orderly elections.

History. — s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 16, ch. 28156, 1953; s. 1, ch. 29938, 1955; s. 1, ch. 57-91; s. 1, ch. 59-139; s. 2, ch. 65-240; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 73-191; s. 1, ch. 74-120; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 30, ch. 79-400; s. 4, ch. 83-15; s. 1, ch. 83-149; s. 15, ch. 89-338; s. 3, ch. 90-229; s. 13, ch. 90-315; s. 546, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 95-197; s. 5, ch. 99-140; s. 12, ch. 99-318; s. 20, ch. 2005-277; s. 13, ch. 2005-286; s. 23, ch. 2007-30; s. 22, ch. 2011-40.

100.141 Notice of special election to fill any vacancy in office.

(1) Whenever a special election is required to fill any vacancy in office, the Governor, after consultation with the Secretary of State, shall issue an order declaring on what day the election shall be held and deliver the order to the Department of State.

(2) The Department of State shall prepare a notice stating what offices are to be filled in the special election, the dates set for the special primary election and the special election, the dates fixed for qualifying for office, the dates fixed for qualifying by the petition process pursuant to s. 99.095, and the dates fixed for filing campaign expense statements.

(3) The department shall deliver a copy of such notice to the supervisor of elections of each county in which the special election is to be held. The supervisor shall have the notice published two times in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 10 days prior to the first day set for qualifying for office. If such a newspaper is not published within the period set forth, the supervisor shall post at least five copies of the notice in conspicuous places in the county not less than 10 days prior to the first date set for qualifying.

History. — s. 6, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 160; s. 7, ch. 4328, 1895; GS 177; RGS 221; CGL 256; s. 3, ch. 25383, 1949; s. 1, ch. 26329, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 14, ch. 90-315; s. 13, ch. 99-318; s. 21, ch. 2005-277; s. 14, ch. 2005-286.

100.151 Special elections called by local governing bodies, notice.

History. — s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 2, ch. 65-60; s. 16, ch. 89-338; s. 547, ch. 95-147.

100.161 Filling vacancy of United States Senators.

History. — s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 17, ch. 28156, 1953; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.181 Determination of person elected.

History. — s. 7, ch. 20872, 1941; s. 4, ch. 26329, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 24, ch. 77-104; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.191 General election laws applicable to special elections; returns.

History. — s. 6, ch. 20872, 1941; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 24, ch. 2007-30.

100.201 Referendum required before issuing bonds.

History. — s. 1, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(1); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 3, ch. 69-377; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 7, ch. 87-363.

100.211 Power to call bond referendum; notice required.

History. — s. 2, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(2); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 4, ch. 69-377; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.221 General election laws to govern bond referenda.

History. — s. 8, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(8); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 12, ch. 2008-95.

100.241 Freeholder voting; election; penalties for ineligible persons who vote as freeholders.

(1) In any election or referendum in which only electors who are freeholders are qualified to vote, the regular registration books covering the precincts located within the geographical area in which the election or referendum is to be held shall be used.

(2) Qualification and registration of electors participating in a freeholder election or referendum subject to this

section shall be the same as prescribed for voting in other elections under this code, and, in addition, each such elector shall submit a written declaration, verified pursuant to s. 92.525, affirming that the elector is a freeholder who is a qualified elector residing in the county, district, or municipality in which the election or referendum is to be held.

(3) Each registered elector who submits the written declaration giving a legal description, address, or location of property in the elector’s name which is not wholly exempt from taxation is entitled to vote in the election or referendum and is considered a freeholder.

(4) The actual costs of conducting a freeholder election or referendum subject to this

section shall be paid by the county, district, or municipality requiring the election or referendum.

(5) A person may not vote in any county, district, or other election or referendum which is limited to a vote of the electors who are freeholders, unless the person is a freeholder and a qualified elector. A person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History. — s. 1, ch. 9294, 1923; CGL 250; ss. 4, 6, 14, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(4), (6), (14); s. 7, ch. 22858, 1945; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 61-332; s. 5, ch. 65-240; s. 5, ch. 69-377; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 2, ch. 91-224; s. 548, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 2012-156.

100.261 Holding bond referenda with other elections.

History. — s. 1, ch. 22545, 1945; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 19, ch. 28156, 1953; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 8, ch. 87-363.

100.271 Inspectors, clerk, duties; return and canvass of referendum recorded.

History. — s. 10, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(10); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.281 Approval to issue bonds.

History. — s. 12, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(12); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 15, ch. 69-216; s. 7, ch. 69-377; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.291 Record results of election prima facie evidence.

History. — s. 17, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(15); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.301 Refunding bonds excluded.

History. — s. 21 1 / 2 , ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(19); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.311 Local law governs bond election held by municipalities.

History. — s. 21, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(18); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.321 Test suit.

History. — s. 18, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(16); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.331 Referendum for defeated bond issue.

History. — s. 13, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457 (13); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.341 Bond referendum ballot.

History. — s. 11, ch. 14715, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 457(11); s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 4, ch. 2001-40.

100.342 Notice of special election or referendum.

History. — s. 1, ch. 59-335; s. 2, ch. 65-60; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.351 Referendum election; certificate of results to Department of State.

History. — s. 1, ch. 25438, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 12, ch. 77-175.

100.3605 Conduct of municipal elections.

(1) The Florida Election Code, chapters 97-106, shall govern the conduct of a municipality’s election in the absence of an applicable special act, charter, or ordinance provision. No charter or ordinance provision shall be adopted which conflicts with or exempts a municipality from any provision in the Florida Election Code that expressly applies to municipalities.

(2) The governing body of a municipality may, by ordinance, change the dates for qualifying and for the election of members of the governing body of the municipality and provide for the orderly transition of office resulting from such date changes.

History. — s. 2, ch. 95-178.

100.361 Municipal recall.

(1) APPLICATION; DEFINITION. —

(2) RECALL PETITION. —

(3) RECALL PETITION AND DEFENSE. —

(4) RECALL ELECTION. —

(5) BALLOTS. —

(6) FILLING OF VACANCIES; SPECIAL ELECTIONS. —

(7) EFFECT OF RESIGNATIONS. —

(8) WHEN PETITION MAY BE FILED. —

(9) RETENTION OF PETITION. —

(10) OFFENSES RELATING TO PETITIONS. —

(11) INTENT. —

(12) PROVISIONS APPLICABLE. —

History. — ss. 1, 2, ch. 74-130; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 77-279; s. 1, ch. 81-312; s. 20, ch. 83-217; s. 17, ch. 89-338; s. 15, ch. 90-315; s. 549, ch. 95-147; s. 14, ch. 95-280; s. 1, ch. 2000-249; s. 5, ch. 2001-40; s. 8, ch. 2002-281; s. 13, ch. 2008-95.

100.371 Initiatives; procedure for placement on ballot.

(1) Constitutional amendments proposed by initiative shall be placed on the ballot for the general election, provided the initiative petition has been filed with the Secretary of State no later than February 1 of the year the general election is held. A petition shall be deemed to be filed with the Secretary of State upon the date the secretary determines that valid and verified petition forms have been signed by the constitutionally required number and distribution of electors under this code.

(2) The sponsor of an initiative amendment shall, prior to obtaining any signatures, register as a political committee pursuant to s. 106.03 and submit the text of the proposed amendment to the Secretary of State, with the form on which the signatures will be affixed, and shall obtain the approval of the Secretary of State of such form. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules pursuant to s. 120.54 prescribing the style and requirements of such form. Upon filing with the Secretary of State, the text of the proposed amendment and all forms filed in connection with this

section must, upon request, be made available in alternative formats.

(3) An initiative petition form circulated for signature may not be bundled with or attached to any other petition. Each signature shall be dated when made and shall be valid for a period of 2 years following such date, provided all other requirements of law are met. The sponsor shall submit signed and dated forms to the supervisor of elections for the county of residence listed by the person signing the form for verification of the number of valid signatures obtained.

If a signature on a petition is from a registered voter in another county, the supervisor shall notify the petition sponsor of the misfiled petition. The supervisor shall promptly verify the signatures within 30 days after receipt of the petition forms and payment of the fee required by s. 99.097. The supervisor shall promptly record, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, the date each form is received by the supervisor, and the date the signature on the form is verified as valid. The supervisor may verify that the signature on a form is valid only if:

(4) The Secretary of State shall determine from the signatures verified by the supervisors of elections the total number of verified valid signatures and the distribution of such signatures by congressional districts. Upon a determination that the requisite number and distribution of valid signatures have been obtained, the secretary shall issue a certificate of ballot position for that proposed amendment and shall assign a designating number pursuant to s. 101.161.

(5)(

a) Within 45 days after receipt of a proposed revision or amendment to the State Constitution by initiative petition from the Secretary of State, the Financial Impact Estimating Conference shall complete an analysis and financial impact statement to be placed on the ballot of the estimated increase or decrease in any revenues or costs to state or local governments resulting from the proposed initiative. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference shall submit the financial impact statement to the Attorney General and Secretary of State.

(6) The Department of State may adopt rules in accordance with s. 120.54 to carry out the provisions of subsections (1)-(5).

(7) No provision of this code shall be deemed to prohibit a private person exercising lawful control over privately owned property, including property held open to the public for the purposes of a commercial enterprise, from excluding from such property persons seeking to engage in activity supporting or opposing initiative amendments.

History. — s. 15, ch. 79-365; s. 12, ch. 83-251; s. 30, ch. 84-302; s. 22, ch. 97-13; s. 9, ch. 2002-281; s. 3, ch. 2002-390; s. 3, ch. 2004-33; s. 28, ch. 2005-278; s. 4, ch. 2006-119; s. 25, ch. 2007-30; s. 1, ch. 2007-231; s. 14, ch. 2008-95; s. 23, ch. 2011-40.