A legal battle is now underway between Marc Elias and Ron DeSantis over Florida’s controversial new voting law — and it didn’t take long to ignite.

Within hours of the governor signing the state’s version of the SAVE Act, Mr Elias — a prominent Democratic election lawyer — filed a federal lawsuit, setting the stage for a high-stakes courtroom clash in Florida.

At the heart of the dispute is a new requirement for voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register or remain on the rolls. Supporters say it’s a necessary safeguard to protect election integrity. Critics say it risks shutting out legitimate voters.

The lawsuit, brought on behalf of civil rights groups including the Florida NAACP, argues the law is unconstitutional — claiming it places unnecessary barriers in front of eligible voters and could disproportionately affect minority and elderly communities.

In a statement, Mr Elias said the law “violates fundamental rights” under the Constitution. The DeSantis camp, meanwhile, insists the measure is about ensuring confidence in elections — a message that has become central to Republican politics in recent years.

The case is expected to be heard in federal court and could ultimately make its way through the appeals system, potentially becoming one of the most closely watched voting rights cases in the country.

And as with so many legal fights over elections in America, the stakes go far beyond one state — with the outcome likely to shape the national debate on voting laws for years to come.