Florida voters will face six statewide ballot measures in November.
Courtesy of the Florida Finibus Team
When Florida voters head to the polls on November 5, they will face decisions on six ballot measures. According to the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections, four of the proposed amendments – one, two, five and six – made it on the ballot after being referred by the state legislature. Amendments three and four, however, were initiated by citizens via a petition.
With a ballot full of important local, state, and national races, some in Gainesville and on campus are not completely clear about what they will be voting on next month. “Everything I’ve seen so far…is either related to the presidency, related to recreational marijuana, or abortion. Everything else I haven’t heard anyone talk about,” said Aahan Thakkar, a Senior Sustainability Studies Major.
If passed, the six amendments will permanently change the Florida Constitution, so voters need to know what a “yes” or “no” vote means before heading to the polls. “These amendments are long and the wording is difficult to follow at times. Unless voters take the time to really understand what the amendment will do and how it is to be implemented, they will not have an informed vote and they may actually vote against something they are in favor of,” said University of Florida History Professor Dr. Steven Noll. A 60% supermajority is required to pass all ballot measures.
Amendment 1 - Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards
A “yes” vote on Amendment One would support requiring “members of a district school board to be elected in a partisan election rather than a nonpartisan election,” beginning in 2026. The amendment was put on the ballot with the support of all 107 Republicans but only one Democrat in the state legislature.
Supporters of the amendment argue that the amendment will make school board elections more transparent. As one of the amendment’s supporters, Republican State Senator Joe Grueters of District 22, said, “ There’s no such thing as a non-partisan race anymore…And what I’m trying to do is pull the bag off of the voters’ heads.”
Meanwhile, Carmen Ward, an opponent of the amendment and president of the Alachua County Education Association, has stated that she does “not think there's any place for partisan politics in our public education system.”
Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt
A “yes” vote on Amendment Two supports adding language to the state Constitution that would “preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right.” Nearly the entire state legislature supported adding the amendment to the ballot with only one Democratic senator in opposition.
Importantly, language in the amendment states that the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would not be affected.
Amendment 3 - Adult Personal Use of Marijuana
One of two amendments put on the ballot by initiative, Amendment Three will determine the legality of marijuana use by people over the age of 21. A “yes” vote on the amendment would support allowing those who are 21 and older to “possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.” If Amendment Three were to pass, part of the language added to the state constitution would limit marijuana possession to three ounces per person.
Interestingly, former President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis hold opposing views on this issue. Former President Trump supports the passage of the amendment while Governor DeSantis opposes it.
Amendment 4 - Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion
Amendment Four is the second of the two amendments that were placed on the ballot by initiative. A “yes” vote on Amendment Four would add language to the Florida Constitution that says “no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” Other language from the ballot measure states that “the proposed amendment would result in
significantly more abortions and fewer live births per year in Florida.”
Conversely, a “no” vote on Amendment Four would prevent the language above from being added to the Florida Constitution and would leave Florida’s current abortion law in place.
Prominent political names stand on both sides of Amendment Four. Supporters of the amendment include President Joe Biden and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, while opponents include Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Governor DeSantis.
Amendment 5 - Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions
In Florida, property taxes are determined by a fair valuation of the property minus homestead exemptions. According to Florida statute, “Every primary residence is eligible for a $25,000 homestead exemption, which exempts that amount from all taxes.”
If Amendment Five passes, it would add language to the Florida Constitution that would adjust the homestead exemption for inflation each year based on the Consumer Price Index. Put simply, a “yes” vote on Amendment Five supports adding an annual adjustment for inflation to the homestead exemption.
Amendment 6 - Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement
If passed, Amendment Six would repeal a section of the Florida Constitution that required public funding of campaigns that met certain conditions, including spending limits. A “yes” vote on Amendment Six would take away public funding that is available under the current law.
Tina Polsky, a Democratic State Senator from District 30, opposes the amendment: “It is very clear that the Republican Party has a lot more money, funding, outside groups, special interest groups, who help pay for campaigns than the Democratic Party has in Florida. And, as a result, it seems this would be a negative for Democratic candidates.”
When election day arrives on Tuesday, Florida voters will not only decide who represents them in office but have the chance to make their voices heard on ballot measures that will determine the laws that will govern them.
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