Florida's 4th Congressional District
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the district view: events tagged to this congressional district, then events that apply across Florida, then national events. An event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district. See all of Florida.
In Florida's 4th Congressional District
No events have been tagged to Florida's 4th Congressional District yet. District events are added over time. The state and national events below also apply here.
Across Florida
2026
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Governor signs HB 991, adding U.S. citizenship checks to voter registration
The Florida Senate's bill record shows that CS/CS/HB 991 (Elections) passed the House 83 to 31 on February 25, 2026, passed the Senate as amended 27 to 12 on March 12, 2026, passed the House again 77 to 28 the same day, and was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis on April 1, 2026 as Chapter 2026-26, Laws of Florida. The bill summary says it requires that an applicant's legal status as a U.S. citizen be recorded in the statewide voter registration system, requires supervisors of elections to verify voters' citizenship using specified sources, and requires the online registration system to send applications to the supervisor when motor-vehicle records show an applicant is not a citizen or has not given acceptable evidence of citizenship. Most of the act takes effect January 1, 2027. A later federal suit says the act also removed student IDs from the forms of photo ID accepted at the polls.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2025
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House Bill 1205 changes the rules for citizen initiative petitions
House Bill 1205, Chapter 2025-21, became law on May 2, 2025 except as otherwise provided. It revises provisions on amendments to the State Constitution by initiative, including petition handling, sponsor and petition circulator registration, signature verification, record retention, and criminal penalties.
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
2024
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Amendments 3 and 4 win a majority but fall short of the 60 percent needed
At the November 5, 2024 general election, the Florida Division of Elections' official results show Amendment 3 (Adult Personal Use of Marijuana) with 55.9 percent yes (5,950,589 yes, 4,693,524 no) and Amendment 4 (Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion) with 57.2 percent yes (6,070,758 yes, 4,548,379 no). Article XI, Section 5(e) requires at least 60 percent of the voters on the measure, so neither took effect.
- Florida Division of Elections: November 5, 2024 General Election, official results, constitutional amendments ↗
- NBC 6 South Florida: Why didn't Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 pass in Florida? (Nov. 6, 2024) ↗ News report, NBC 6 South Florida
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2023
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Senate Bill 7050 changes signature-matching training, third-party registration and voter-list removals
Senate Bill 7050, Chapter 2023-120, took effect July 1, 2023 except as otherwise provided. It requires mandatory signature-matching training from the Secretary of State, requires third-party voter registration organizations to report the election cycle for which they register voters, and requires supervisors to follow specified procedures before removing a registered voter.
Source last checked Oct 27, 2026
2022
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Senate Bill 524 creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security
Senate Bill 524, Chapter 2022-73, took effect April 25, 2022. It creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security within the Department of State, revises how often supervisors must conduct registration list maintenance, and requires people observing ballot duplication to sign an affidavit acknowledging criminal penalties.
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
2021
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Senate Bill 90 changes vote-by-mail requests, drop boxes and solicitation near drop boxes
Senate Bill 90, Chapter 2021-11, took effect May 6, 2021. Among other things it limits vote-by-mail ballot requests to elections through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly scheduled general election, and prohibits certain solicitation activities within a specified area around a drop box.
Source last checked Oct 27, 2026
2019
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Senate Bill 7066 implements Amendment 4 and requires payment of fines, fees and restitution
Senate Bill 7066, Chapter 2019-162, took effect July 1, 2019. It requires supervisors of elections to make a final determination of whether a person with a felony conviction has completed all terms of sentence. The Eleventh Circuit described it as interpreting Amendment 4 "to require payment of all fines, fees and restitution imposed as part of the sentence."
Source last checked Oct 27, 2026
2018
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Voters approve Amendment 4, restoring voting rights to many people with felony convictions
On November 6, 2018, Florida voters approved Amendment 4, a constitutional amendment that provided that a felon's "voting rights shall be restored upon completion of all terms of sentence including parole or probation," according to the Eleventh Circuit.
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
2011
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House Bill 1355 changes early voting, third-party registration and other election rules
House Bill 1355, Chapter 2011-40, took effect May 19, 2011. According to a federal three-judge court, it made approximately 80 sets of changes to Florida election law, including changing early in-person voting to start on the 10th day before an election and end on the 3rd day before it, for a total of eight days, four fewer than before, and rules for third-party voter registration organizations.
- Florida Senate: CS/CS/HB 1355 (2011) ↗
- Florida v. United States, No. 11-1428 (D.D.C. Aug. 16, 2012) ↗
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
2006
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Voters require 60 percent approval for state constitutional amendments
Article XI, Section 5(e) of the Florida Constitution says a proposed amendment or revision takes effect if "approved by vote of at least sixty percent of the electors voting on the measure." The section's history note reads "Am. H.J.R. 1723, 2005; adopted 2006." NBC 6 South Florida reported that before this change a simple majority was required.
- Florida Legislature: Constitution of the State of Florida, Article XI, Section 5(e) and history note ↗
- NBC 6 South Florida: Why didn't Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 pass in Florida? (Nov. 6, 2024) ↗ News report, NBC 6 South Florida
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2001
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Florida Election Reform Act of 2001 bans punchcard voting and rewrites recount rules
Senate Bill 1118, approved by the Governor on May 10, 2001 as Chapter 2001-40, created the Florida Election Reform Act of 2001. It prohibited punchcard voting systems, set procedures for voting and counting provisional ballots, and substantially modified standards and procedures for manual recounts. The Eleventh Circuit has noted that by 2001 Florida "no longer required any excuse to vote absentee."
- Florida Senate: CS/SB 1118 (2001) ↗
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Florida Secretary of State, No. 22-11143 (11th Cir. Apr. 27, 2023) ↗
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
1998
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Justice Department objects to new absentee ballot requirements and a criminal penalty in Senate Bill 1402
Reviewing Senate Bill 1402 (1998) as it affects Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough and Monroe counties, the Justice Department did not object to several sections, but wrote: "I must object to the additional requirements for the absentee voting certificate and absentee ballot and the criminal penalty provided for in Section 26 (proposed Section 104.047 (3) of the Florida Election Code)."
- Justice Department objection letter FL-1030 (State of Florida) ↗
- Justice Department: Voting Determination Letters for Florida ↗
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
1985
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Justice Department objects to part of a 1984 law on assistance to absentee voters in the five covered counties
Under Section 5, the Justice Department reviewed House Bill 619 (1984), which amended Florida's voter assistance provisions to follow Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act. It interposed no objection to amended Sections 97.061(3) and 101.051(1), but objected to Section 101.051(3), which barred a voter marking an absentee ballot at the supervisor of elections' office from receiving help from the supervisor, deputies or staff. The letter says that restriction "would contravene the provisions of the federal statute."
- Justice Department objection letter FL-1010 (State of Florida) ↗
- Justice Department: Voting Determination Letters for Florida ↗
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
Nationwide
2026
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Postal Service issues final rule on ballot mail for federal elections
The Postal Service's final rule "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" was published August 26, 2026 and states that it is effective August 21, 2026. It says it responds to Executive Order 14399 and received "more than 200,000 responses" during the comment period. The rule says that, because of injunctions in two Massachusetts cases, the Postal Service "will not take actions to implement the rule specifically for the 2026 election" unless the government obtains relief from them. On September 13, 2026, a federal court in Washington granted preliminary injunctions against the rule.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes bill with a photo-ID voting requirement; Senate cloture vote fails, 53-47, on September 30, 2026
On July 22, 2026, the House passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, by 232 to 198 (Roll no. 280). Section 3 of the House-passed text is titled "Requiring voters to provide photo identification." On September 30, 2026, the Senate voted 53 to 47 on cloture on the motion to proceed, and the bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 253).
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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Postal Service proposes a rule on ballot mail for federal elections
On June 2, 2026, the Postal Service published a proposed rule, "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections," to amend its Domestic Mail Manual on the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections. The final rule says the comment period closed on July 2, 2026.
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (proposed rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 32915 (GovInfo) ↗
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (final rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 54966 (GovInfo) ↗
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14399 on citizenship verification and mail ballots
Executive Order 14399, "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections," is dated March 31, 2026 and was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2026. Section 2 directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to each state a "State Citizenship List." Section 3 directs the Postmaster General to begin a rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballots within 60 days. Courts later enjoined parts of the Postal Service rule that followed.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes SAVE America Act text as an amendment to S. 1383, 218-213
On February 11, 2026, the House passed S. 1383 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, by 218 to 213 (Roll no. 69). The House-passed text is titled the "SAVE America Act." On March 17, 2026, the Senate agreed 51 to 48 to a motion to proceed to the House message on S. 1383 (Record Vote 57). On March 21, 2026, a cloture vote on a related motion was "not invoked" by 41 to 49 (Record Vote 61). The bill record lists no final Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2025
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Postal Service adds a Domestic Mail Manual section defining postmarks
On November 24, 2025, the Postal Service published a final rule adding section 608.11, "Postmarks and Postal Possession," to the Domestic Mail Manual, effective December 24, 2025. It says the new language "does not change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices" and is intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and the date of mailing.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes SAVE Act, 220-208; Senate does not act
On April 10, 2025, the House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, by 220 to 208 (Roll no. 102). The bill was received in the Senate the same day; the bill record lists no later action, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14248 on federal elections
Executive Order 14248, "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," is dated March 25, 2025 and was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025. Section 2 is titled "Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections," Section 4 "Improving the Election Assistance Commission," and Section 7 "Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day." Courts later enjoined parts of it.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2022
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Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 becomes law
Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, signed December 29, 2022) may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022." Title I may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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Senate cloture on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act fails, 49-51
On January 19, 2022, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 9). The bill record also lists a motion by Senator Schumer to appeal the ruling of the chair as "not agreed to," on the question "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Senate," by 52 to 48 (Record Vote 10). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2021
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Senate vote to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act fails, 49-51
On October 20, 2021, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 420). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; Senate cloture vote on November 3, 2021 is 50-49 and fails
On August 24, 2021, the House passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, by 219 to 212 (Roll no. 260). On November 3, 2021, a Senate vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the companion bill, S. 4, was 50 to 49 and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 459). Neither bill became law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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For the People Act of 2021 passes the House; Senate committee discharge vote is 50-49 and the bill stalls
On March 3, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, by 220 to 210 (Roll no. 62). On June 22, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 50 (Roll call 246) on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2093, the For the People Act of 2021, which required 3/5 of the Senate; the Senate roll call records the result as "Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected." On August 11, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 49 to discharge its Rules and Administration Committee from the companion bill, S. 1 (Roll call 358). The bill records list no Senate vote on passage, and neither bill became law.
- H.R. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- S. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 117th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 246 (June 22, 2021) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2019
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House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2018
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President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections
Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.
Source last checked Nov 1, 2026
2009
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Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act becomes law
Section 575 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, dated October 28, 2009) may be cited as the "Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act." It adds a requirement that states transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before a federal election, when the request is received at least 45 days before it.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2006
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Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006
Public Law 109-246, dated July 27, 2006, may be cited as the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Among other changes it amended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and replaced the references to the 1982 amendments in Section 4(a).
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2002
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Help America Vote Act of 2002 becomes law
Public Law 107-252, dated October 29, 2002, is titled, in part, "To establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission" to assist in the administration of federal elections, and "to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1993
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National Voter Registration Act of 1993 becomes law
Public Law 103-31, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, is dated May 20, 1993. The law states its purpose as "to establish procedures that will increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1986
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Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act becomes law
Public Law 99-410, dated August 28, 1986, may be cited as the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act." Its subject is voting in federal elections by members of the uniformed services and by citizens living overseas.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1982
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 become law
Public Law 97-205, dated June 29, 1982, rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to bar any practice "imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color." It also provided that a section 4 provision expires "at the end of the twenty-five-year period following the effective date" of the 1982 amendments.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1975
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Voting Rights Act extended in 1975, with language-minority protections
Public Law 94-73, dated August 6, 1975, is titled "To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend certain provisions for an additional seven years, to make permanent the ban against certain prerequisites to voting, and for other purposes." It also provides that no voting qualification may be imposed "to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote because he is a member of a language minority group."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1971
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26th Amendment ratified: voting age of 18
The National Archives lists the 26th Amendment as passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971. It reads: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1970
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 become law
Public Law 91-285, dated June 22, 1970, is titled "To extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the discriminatory use of tests, and for other purposes." It may be cited as the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1965
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Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. The National Archives says the act outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · How people voted in past elections, by county · Back to the 2026 voting center.