Seeking to standardize how Florida refers to the process of voting absentee, Senate Bill 112 makes a global change throughout the Florida Statutes to replace the term “absentee” with vote-by-mail.” Section 117.05(2)(b), prohibiting Notaries from charging a fee to notarizing an absentee ballot, is one of many places where the new term is applied. There is no policy change affecting Notaries under SB 112. Notaries may not charge a fee for notarizing a “vote-by-mail” ballot just as they cannot notarize an absentee ballot under current law.

FL Senate Bill 112

Legislation

State: Florida
Signed: March 10, 2016

Effective: July 01, 2016
Chapter: 2016-37

Summary

Senate Bill 112 changes the term “absentee” in reference to election ballots to “vote by mail” and reaffirms the current policy that a Notary may not charge a fee for notarizing a vote by mail ballot.

Affects

Amends Florida Statutes 117.05(2)(b).

Changes

1. Changes the term “absentee” to “vote-by-mail” throughout the Florida Statutes.
2. Clarifies that a Notary may not charge to notarize a vote-by-mail (formerly absentee) ballot.

Analysis

Seeking to standardize how Florida refers to the process of voting absentee, Senate Bill 112 makes a global change throughout the Florida Statutes to replace the term “absentee” with vote-by-mail.” Section 117.05(2)(b), prohibiting Notaries from charging a fee to notarizing an absentee ballot, is one of many places where the new term is applied. There is no policy change affecting Notaries under SB 112. Notaries may not charge a fee for notarizing a “vote-by-mail” ballot just as they cannot notarize an absentee ballot under current law.

Read Senate Bill 112.