HAHarvey Walden
1 week agoThird Party Voter Registration Organizations
Third Party Voter Registration Organizations
One way to help in elections is by registering voters. This helps people take part in democracy and makes sure their voices are heard. You can start or join a group called a Third-Party Voter Registration Organization (3PVRO). These groups help others fill out voter registration forms.
Note: Florida law changed on July 1, 2023. Some parts of Senate Bill 7050 may still change in court. The Florida Division of Elections oversees 3PVROs.
How to Register as a 3PVRO
If you wish to collect voter registration applications, you must register as a 3PVRO before getting started by filing paperwork with the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections. Your organization can be as small as one person or as large as a statewide group. It may be easier to work with an existing 3PVRO rather than starting a new one.
Registration Process Requirements:
- Names of the officers and permanent address of the organization
- Name and address of the organization's registered agent in the state
- Names and addresses of each paid voter registration agent
- Affirmation that each person collecting or handling registration forms is not a felon
- Affirmation that each person collecting or handling registration forms is a US citizen (as of October 2023, this provision is on hold)
- List the election cycle for which you are registering voters; registration expires after this election cycle
Exceptions to Registration:
You do not need to register as a 3PVRO if you are:
- Helping a family member register
- Helping voters submit voter registration forms online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov
- Distributing blank voter registration forms and leaving them with voters
Once Registered:
Once the Division approves your registration, they will assign your organization a unique 3PVRO number and list it in the Division's 3PVRO database.
Obtaining Voter Registration Applications:
You can obtain copies by:
- Printing them yourself from the PDF available on the Division's Forms webpage
- Photocopying a blank form
- Ordering them from Leon County Supervisor of Elections office
- Ordering them from the Division of Elections (up to 10,000 forms free)
How to Assist Voters:
Once registered, you can help people register by distributing voter registration applications and ensuring they are delivered to election officials. You can directly help voters complete the application form and write in fields, but the voter must sign the form themselves. Forms must be blank when initially provided to voters; you cannot pre-fill information.
Complete Form Requirements:
To be successfully registered, the voter registration application must be complete. Review required fields with applicants to ensure they complete:
- All required fields and checkboxes
- Complete residential address (no PO boxes or out-of-state addresses)
- Legible handwriting
- Voter signature
If applicants make mistakes, they should cross out incorrect information and write in corrections rather than starting a new form.
Optional Fields:
Although optional, these fields are important:
- Party affiliation affects which contests and candidates appear on a voter's ballot in primary elections
- Contact information allows county to reach voter if there is an issue with registration or Vote-by-Mail ballot
College Student Addresses:
College students living in campus residence halls should write the residence hall name in the residential address field and their U-box or mailing address in the mailing address field.
Application Receipt:
When applicant gives you their application, you must provide a receipt including:
- Applicant's name, party affiliation, and county
- 3PVRO name
- Registration agent name
- Date
Handling Voter Registration Forms:
- Write your 3PVRO number and collection date in the margins on the lower portion of the form; do not write in the "Official Use Only Box"
- Return each form (complete and incomplete) to the county Supervisor of Elections for the voter or to the Division of Elections, either in-person or by mail
- Deadline: 10 days after voter completes the form; if close to registration deadline, return at least 29 days before next scheduled election
- Failure to return forms on time or at all will result in fines
- After forms are dropped off, county verifies ID information and enters data into Florida Voter Registration System, then mails voter information card
- You cannot copy voter applications or retain personal information from applications (as of October 2023, this provision is on hold)
Simplifying the 3PVRO Process:
Alternative ways to be involved:
- Partner or work with an existing 3PVRO
- Distribute voter registration applications without registering as 3PVRO (only register if you collect them back)
- Direct voters to RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov and walk them through online registration
- Help voters with printing if they don't have Florida drivers license or Florida ID card
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Forms:
To complete a Vote-by-Mail ballot request, a person must already be a registered voter. First-time Florida registrants should not complete a Vote-by-Mail request at the same time; they can request after receiving their voter information card. For already registered voters, you can help them complete Vote-by-Mail ballot request forms and deliver to county office.
Fines:
When collecting registration forms on behalf of your 3PVRO, you accept responsibility for proper delivery and handling. If you do not follow the law, your 3PVRO may be fined. The total fine assessed against a 3PVRO in a calendar year is $250,000.
Fine Schedule:
- Untimely return more than 10 days after collection or registration deadline: $50 per form per day unintentionally ($2,500 maximum) or $2,500 per form willfully
- Untimely return after registration deadline: $100 per form per day unintentionally ($5,000 maximum) or $5,000 per form willfully
- Failure to return: $500 per form unintentionally or $5,000 per form willfully
- Allowing felon to collect or handle forms: $50,000 per person
- Allowing non-citizen to collect or handle forms: $50,000 per person
- Providing pre-filled voter registration forms: $50 per form
- Altering voter's form without knowledge and consent: $5,000 per form
- Copying voter's form or retaining personal information: Third-degree felony
