Amendment 1: Making School Board Races Partisan
Since 1998, counties have moved forward with doing away with partisan races on a local school level.
In GOP-run counties, republicans have complained about nonpartisan races they say have allowed the liberal left to slide under the radar, avoiding voters’ concerns on key issues. If the candidate had to run under a party label, the results could be different. On this year’s state ballot, voters will decide whether all local school board races should be partisan. If passed, it would begin in 2026.
Amendment 2: Right to fish and hunt
The supporters of this amendment say it’s needed in the state constitution because environmental activists have been successful in other states, blocking certain areas for sports enthusiasts to hunt or fish based on EPA or “animal rights” concerns.
The American Sportfishing Association says Florida attracts more than 4.3 million anglers, contributes nearly $14 billion in economic output, and supports more than 120,000 jobs.
Amendment 3: Adult Use of Recreational Marijuana
In 2016, medical marijuana was passed by Florida voters 71% to 29%. Voters knew it was just a matter of time before recreational use would make its way on the state ballot. If adopted by voters, it would allow people ages 21 and older to “possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption.”
Amendment 4: Abortion
This will be the biggest topic of 2024. In 2023, pro-choice groups started their move by gaining the needed petitions. In almost record time, they got enough signatures to get in front of the Florida Supreme Court for possible approval, which they got last week.
Expect millions of dollars to be spent on an advertising campaign. The proposed constitutional amendment, in part, 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.” Expect pro-life advocates to attack this measure on the extremes that allow abortions in all cases. The pro-choice crowd will argue it’s the extremes coming from pro-life groups and Gov. DeSantis after signing a 6-week abortion ban.
This issue will get nasty in the months ahead.
Amendment 5: Annual Adjustments on Certain Homestead Exemptions
As of now, this item isn’t on the radar of voters. But could pick up some support with the high cost of living. If passed, homeowners could receive slightly larger property-tax break on their homestead property-tax exemption. The tax exemptions would be on the assessed values of property up to $25,000 and on the values between $50,000 and $75,000. The measure would adjust for inflation.
Amendment 6: Campaign Money
Another amendment passed in 1998 allows matching funds to gubernatorial and state Cabinet candidates. Now, voters will decide if this is no longer needed. If not, it will need to be repealed. Backers of this amendment say it would eliminate welfare for politicians.
Each amendment needs 60% voter support to be approved.
