Ron DeSantis signed a bill to create an electoral police unit

Ron DeSantis

 

Ron DeSantis signed a bill to create an electoral police unit to protect voter integrity and investigate fraud

Florida Department of State's New Electoral Crimes and Security Legal Office

It makes poll harvesting a third-degree felony. "I didn't think there is any place in the state where you should have more confidence that your voice matters more than in Florida," DeSantis said.

Sign the bill into state law at a sports bar in Tampa Bay

It came after Georgia's Senate primary candidates clashed with former Senator David Perdue saying 'the 2020 election was rigged and stolen'.

Trump lost Georgia by 12,000 votes.

"I didn't think there is any place in the state where you should have more confidence that your vote matters more than in Florida," said DeSantis, who is considered a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

This new law comes after the governor made voting legislation the focus this year, prompting the Republican-controlled State Council to create a police unit as states reassess their electoral systems in the wake of Trump's unfounded allegations.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill to create an electoral police unit to protect voter integrity and investigate fraud, saying, "nowhere in the country where you should have more confidence that your vote matters." The move comes amid repeated allegations of election fraud by the Republican Party

DeSantis running for re-election and is widely seen as a potential presidential candidate for 2024, praised the recent election for being smooth and suggested more rules are needed to deter fraud, underscoring Trump's continuing influence on Republican policymaking. Critics considered the law politically motivated and unnecessary, arguing that local prosecutors could handle electoral crimes.

His comments came a day after a row between former Georgian senator David Perdue and Georgia Sick. Brian Kemp's state in a televised debate. "The 2020 election was rigged and stolen," said Purdue, who is backed by Trump, retaliating against Kemp for failing to reverse his loss in Georgia.

Trump lost to Joe Biden in Georgia by 12,000 votes.

At a bill-signing ceremony Monday at a sports bar in Spring Hill, Florida, DeSantis justified the need for the new law enforcement unit. They suggested that existing law enforcement may not be equipped or willing to conduct a thorough fraud investigation.

Some of them may not care much about electoral matters. I think these reactions have been mixed. So we want to make sure these laws are enforced, whatever rules are in the books.