Republican lawmakers in Florida passed a bill Thursday requiring voters to verify citizenship via birth certificates or passports, with Governor Ron DeSantis endorsing the measure. The legislation, modeled after Trump's SAVE America Act, will take effect in 2027, affecting over 12 million registered voters. Critics argue it targets young and minority voters, citing 872,000 residents lacking Real ID credentials.

The bill bans student IDs and retirement home IDs for polling, drawing backlash from Democrats. State Senator Erin Grall defended it as protecting election integrity, while opponents like Democratic Senator Tina Polsky called it "disenfranchisement." Provisions include mail notifications for unverified voters, with 90 days to comply.

Florida joins Arizona and Kansas in adopting strict citizenship checks, though past laws faced legal challenges. Arizona's 2004 law caused registration gaps, while Kansas' 2013 law was struck down after rejecting 31,000 citizens. The Brennan Center notes six states banning student IDs still allow provisional ballots.

Federal law prohibits noncitizen voting, but studies show affected groups skew Republican. Secure Democracy Foundation data reveals Trump-won states have higher non-driver populations. The bill’s delay until 2027 avoids midterm disruption, though legal battles loom. Patricia Mazzei and Nick Corasaniti report on partisan tensions shaping 2024’s election landscape.