DeSantis signs legislation allowing him to remain governor during presidential campaign

by | May 24, 2023

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  • Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a revision to Florida’s “resign-to-run” law into effect on Wednesday, allowing him to run for president while remaining as governor.
  • The amendment exempts presidential and vice presidential candidates from certain requirements, such as financial disclosures and filing fees.
  • The revision was part of a larger bill that aimed to make changes to state election laws, including voter registration procedures and candidate disclosure requirements.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a partial revision to the state’s “resign-to-run” statute into law on Wednesday, establishing a pathway for the governor to maintain his role as Florida’s top official while engaged in a presidential campaign.

The amendment modifies an existing provision of the Florida Statute that stipulates any public official who decides to run for a federal public office must resign from their current position if the terms of their current and prospective roles overlap at any time.

As the next presidential term would begin in January 2025, DeSantis, whose second term as governor runs until January 2027, would be forced to relinquish his position in order to conduct a national campaign under previous state law.

“Any person seeking the office of President or Vice President of the United States is not subject to the requirements of chapter 99, Florida Statutes, which govern candidate qualifying, specifically those which require the submission of certain documents, full and public disclosures of financial interests, petition signatures, or the payment of filing fees,” reads a portion of the amendment.

The legislation received the governor’s signature just two hours after he submitted the necessary paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission, officially declaring his candidacy for the 2024 Presidential Election. DeSantis is expected to join business magnate Elon Musk on Twitter Spaces Wednesday night to formally announce his entry into the GOP primary.

The filing was made to the larger Senate Bill 7050, a piece of legislation seeking to make changes to state election laws. The measure was originally filed as an empty shell bill — meaning it would allow legislators to add language as it worked through the Senate — with the assumption that it would be used as a vehicle to alter election protocols.

In a macroscopic view, the bill proposes enhancements to signature-matching training requirements, clarifies the responsibilities of the Office of Election Crimes and Security and statewide prosecutor, and introduces changes to voter registration requirements, procedures, and deadlines.

It also updates the processes for voter registration list maintenance activities and enhances the information that other governmental entities must provide for that purpose. Additionally, it creates a new candidate disclosure requirement for outstanding fines and fees and specifies how candidates with the same surname running for the same office in a general election may be distinguished on the ballot.

2 Comments

  1. Dr Charles Tolbert EdD Phd

    I believe the governor of Florida has violated the Florida constitution in addition to other constitutional rights under the federal constitution, and that he is taking exception where other individuals such as Rubio was not allowed to run for office as president when he was the Senate therefore I believe that the he is violated and should be removed from office

    http://Www.calltoduty.org

  2. Ron Kirkland

    Oh, the Power of being in control! Shuts down any cannabis incentives we the people are for?