The Division has received comments and concerns from candidates currently seeking to qualify for ballot placement. The state of emergency, orders, and guidance are quickly evolving over time. Permitting circulation and submission of qualifying items by means other than personal contact prevents spread of the virus, while otherwise maintaining the qualifying process for candidates and supporting the state’s important interests in the process as well. The Division of Elections is aware of the rulemaking procedures prescribed by Section 120.54, Florida Statutes, but due to the immediate and evolving nature of the state of emergency, regular rulemaking is too lengthy in both adoption and effect. Candidate qualifying is April 20-24 and June 8-12, with respective and additional 14-day pre-submission periods.