TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Senate passed a voting law package Friday that was pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and would create a police force dedicated to pursuing election crimes.

The chamber approved the bill on a party lines vote with nearly all Republicans in support. House lawmakers are considering companion legislation.

DeSantis, a Republican, proposed the need for an election police unit last year, citing unspecified allegations of fraud that have gained traction in parts of the GOP following former President Donald Trump's false claims that his reelection was stolen.

The governor, who is running for reelection and considered a potential 2024 presidential challenger, has both praised Florida's 2020 Election as smooth and said more rules are needed to prevent wrongdoing. Voter fraud is rare and generally detected. There is consensus among election officials and experts that there was no fraud that could have impacted results in the last presidential election.

(IMO, The voter police will be used to intimidate persons of color at the polls, as there is no real voter fraud for them to prevent.)