Duval Elections Chief Addresses Florida's SAVE Act Amid Lawsuit Storm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jeremiah Blocker addressed Florida's newly signed SAVE Act on April 2, 2026, emphasizing minimal disruption for existing registered voters. The law, enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 1, mandates proof of U.S. citizenship — such as a Florida driver's license, U.S. passport or concealed carry permit — during voter registration, processed through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' federal SAVE system. Blocker stressed that current Duval voters face no action unless notified officially, and no citizenship proof is required at polls.[1][3] The SAVE Act also tightens photo ID rules, banning student IDs and others, aiming to bolster election integrity in Florida's 67 counties. DeSantis touted it as safeguarding the electoral process, but lawyers like Rebecca Black predict poll confusion. In Duval, home to over 600,000 registered voters, the changes target new registrations starting January 1, 2027, sparing November 2026 midterms.[1][2] Voting rights advocates struck back swiftly: The ACLU of Florida sued April 2 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District, claiming the law burdens the right to vote and violates the U.S. Constitution's 14th and 15th Amendments. The suit seeks to block enforcement, arguing it disenfranchises eligible citizens, especially those with name changes from marriage or gender identity needing extra documents. Duval joins eight other counties in a parallel voter assistance campaign by advocates.[2]