Proposed Change to Florida’s ‘Resign-to-Run’ Law May Pave Way for DeSantis 2024 Bid

Get ready for some exciting news! Florida state Sen. Travis Hutson has proposed a game-changing amendment to the state’s “resign-to-run” law. If passed, this amendment would allow Gov. Ron DeSantis to announce his candidacy for the presidency without having to resign as governor.

The proposed amendment is part of Senate Bill 7050 (pdf), a larger piece of legislation related to state elections. It aims to change the existing provision in Florida Statute that requires any public official seeking federal office to resign from their current state position if the terms run concurrently with each other.

The amendment would exclude candidates running for president or vice president from Florida’s “resign-to-run” law, and is intended to “clarify existing law.”

DeSantis is widely expected to run for president despite the lack of an official announcement. As a potential presidential candidate and the current governor of Florida, the existing law mandates that DeSantis submit a written resignation, but the specific date for this is uncertain.

But with this proposed amendment, DeSantis could run for president without having to resign his top position in Florida. However, he would have to give up the last two years of his governorship, as he is term-limited and cannot seek a third term.

DeSantis became Florida’s governor in 2019 and began his second four-year term in January. If he resigns, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez will ascend to the governorship.

On Tuesday, DeSantis told Asia Nikkei that he wouldn’t be making any announcements until the “end of the legislative session” in May. “So, just stay tuned,” he said.

The Bill

The proposal, which will be considered by the state Legislature on Wednesday, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to make changes to state election laws.

Besides the “resign-to-run” amendment, the bill proposes to strengthen signature matching training requirements, clarify the responsibilities of the Office of Election Crimes and Security and statewide prosecutor, and introduce changes to voter registration requirements, procedures, and deadlines.

The bill also updates the processes for voter registration list maintenance activities and enhances the information that other governmental entities must provide for that purpose. It also creates a new candidate disclosure requirement for outstanding fines and fees