This rule will require statewide use of Spanish language ballots because the state's Puerto Rican American population has increased since the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, but there is currently no uniformity in Spanish-language ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Division of Elections

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

1S-2.032Uniform Design for Election Ballots

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This rule will require statewide use of Spanish language ballots because the state's Puerto Rican American population has increased since the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, but there is currently no uniformity in Spanish-language ballot requirements.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Elections; ballots.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 20.10, 97.012(1), 101.151(9), 103.101, 105.041

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 97.012(1)

A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: May 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

PLACE: Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 3 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Candice Edwards at: [e-mail] If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ashley E. Davis, Deputy General Counsel, at: [e-mail]

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

1S-2.032 Uniform Design for Election Ballots.

(1) Purpose. This rule prescribes a uniform ballot design for primary and general elections for each type of certified voting system. Prior to January 1, 2017, a supervisor of elections may comply with all standards to be set forth in this rule effective January 1, 2017, in lieu of complying with the existing standards in this rule, as amended on February 18, 2016, which will be effective until January 1, 2017.

(2) No change.

(3) Ballot language.

(a) No change.

(b) Ballots shall be translated into Spanish and where other languages that are required by law or court order, into other languages. This rule does not prohibit a supervisor of elections from including one or more other languages as he or she determines is necessary to accommodate the respective electorate.

(c) When more than one language appears on the ballot, Tthe English version of the ballot shall appear first on the ballot, followed by the required other language or languages.

(d) Subject to paragraph (c), ballots that include more than one language may have:

1. All languages appear entirely on one ballot,.

2. English and one translated language (one of many applicable to the election) combined on a separate ballot, with English and another or other translated language(s) combined on separate ballot(s), or ..

3. Each language appears on separate ballots only after compliance with section 101.151(8), F.S.

(4) through (15) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 20.10(3), 97.012(1), 101.151(9), 103.101(6), 105.041(2) FS. Law Implemented 103.021, 101.151(9), 101.161, 101.5608(3), (4), 105.041 FS. History–New 6-6-02, Amended 9-8-02, 07-13-04, 2-18-16 (1), (2)(f), (12), (14), (15)(a)9, 1-1-17; ___.