Florida’s New Voter ID Law Threatens to Purge Hundreds of Thousands Ahead of Midterms

Florida’s latest assault on voting rights came into force with Gov. Ron DeSantis signing HB 991, the SAVE Act, on April 1. This law requires anyone updating their voter registration to prove citizenship — a demand that sounds reasonable until you look at the numbers. In 2025, Florida found just 198 “likely noncitizens” who illegally registered to vote, a microscopic figure compared to the 872,408 Floridians who lack a valid REAL ID. Half of all voters do not have passports, the other common citizenship proof. This means millions of eligible voters face hurdles just to keep their names on the rolls.

Unlike similar laws in other states, Florida’s SAVE Act applies retroactively to voters already registered. This opens the door to mass purges of eligible citizens, disproportionately hitting Democrats and No Party Affiliated (NPA) voters. Miami-Dade County alone has purged over 250,000 voters in 2025, with Democrats and NPAs making up 82% of those removed. These purges come despite overwhelming evidence that noncitizen voting is statistically negligible nationwide.

The real impact? Over one million Floridians could struggle to cast a ballot once this law is fully implemented. And the timing could not be worse. Florida’s closed primary system means only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in their party’s primary — the crucial first step in deciding who will appear on the November ballot. For NPAs, who make up more than a third of Florida voters, this law effectively silences them in selecting candidates who represent their interests.

Here is where voters can fight back: the August 18 primary election. Changing your party registration is not a political endorsement — it’s a necessary step to keep your voice heard in the primary and beyond. You can update your registration at GoVoteMiami.org before the July 20 deadline. Remember, voter verification processes remain secure, but only if we elect candidates who will defend fair access to the ballot.

The SAVE Act is another chapter in a broader pattern of voter suppression tactics designed to tilt elections by shrinking the electorate. This is not about protecting democracy; it is about controlling who gets to participate in it. Our best defense is an informed and engaged electorate ready to vote in the primaries and stand against these attacks.

For more information on how to register, update your party affiliation, and protect your right to vote in Miami, visit GoVoteMiami.org today. Don’t let the SAVE Act save itself by stealing your vote.