TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida voters could be asked to make the secretary of state an elected Cabinet position again under a bill ready for a Senate vote.
The Senate Rules Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would put the idea on the 2018 ballot.
Voters approved a restructuring of the Cabinet in 1998 that made the secretary of state a position appointed by the governor beginning in 2003.
Bill sponsor Republican Sen. Aaron Bean pointed out the Cabinet now only has four members, including the governor, leaving the potential for a tie vote.
He also said the secretary of state is responsible for overseeing elections and should be directly accountable to Floridians, rather than appointed.
The secretary of state would be an elected position again in 2022 if 60 percent of voters approve.
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