Bill advances to require political candidates show their party allegiances for 365 days

It could get harder for candidates to abruptly flip political parties when seeking political office.

A bill advancing Wednesday in a Senate Committee would require politicians running for office to be registered under their political parties or listed No Party Affiliation (NPA) for at least one year before the beginning of the qualifying period preceding the General Election.

Sen. Kristen Arrington introduced Senate Bill 62 in front of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee. The Committee had no debate before the Senators voted 7-0 in support.

Arrington, a Kissimmee Democrat, told the Committee she was “looking forward to getting it across the finish line.”

Arrington did not respond to a request for comment late Wednesday about the inspiration behind her bill, which, if passed and signed into law, would take effect immediately before the 2026 Elections. Rep. Allison Tant filed the House companion bill.

Their bills come after several high-profile Democrats jumped ship.

Nearly one year ago, Rep. Susan Valdés made headlines when she announced on X that she was dumping the Dems and joining the Republicans.

Valdés said  she was “tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress.”

Democrats were angry.

“While it remains disturbingly unclear whether she was entertaining the switch to become a Republican even as she was running to lead the local Party, ultimately it is her constituents in District 64 who have the most reason to be upset and betrayed,”  Hillsborough Democratic Party Chair Vanessa Lester said afterward.

Shortly after Valdés’ flip, a second Democrat, Rep. Hillary Casel, also switched ranks and said she would join the Republican majority.

“I will be joining the Republican Conference of the Florida House of Representatives because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida,” Casel said.

Then, earlier this year, Sen. Jason Pizzo declared the Democratic Party “dead” and said he plans to run for Governor in 2026 as an independent. 

Arrington’s legislation also “authorizes a qualified candidate or a political party with qualified candidates in the same race to bring an action based on a claim that a person seeking to qualify as a candidate did not comply with the party affiliation requirement. If a circuit court determines that the person did not comply, he or she is disqualified from placement on the ballot.”