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Understanding the Amendments on the Ballot
There are six amendments to the Florida Constitution on the ballot. Here is a breakdown to help you understand what you are voting on.
Amendment 1 - Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards
This amendment will reverse the 1998 decision that made school board elections nonpartisan. In a nonpartisan election, candidates' party affiliations are not listed on the ballot. Voters can find this information on any candidate by checking with the Supervisor of Elections' office. A "Yes" vote will return the state to pre-1998 practices, while a "No" vote will maintain nonpartisan school board races.
Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt
This amendment will preserve hunting and fishing as a right for the people of Florida. The wording does not change or eliminate current laws that regulate fishing and hunting. Between the country's founding in 1776 and the mid-1990s, Vermont was the only state with a right to hunt and fish in its state constitution. As of January 2023, 23 states had passed constitutional amendments recognizing this right, starting with Alabama in 1996. A "Yes" vote will enshrine these rights in Florida, while a "No" vote will keep things as they are.
Amendment 3 - Adult Personal Use of Marijuana
This amendment will allow marijuana companies to grow and sell marijuana products to adults without requiring a medical marijuana card. Adults aged 21 and older will be permitted to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products for non-medical personal consumption. Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other state-licensed entities will be authorized to cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute these products. This law will not change or protect against violations of federal law. Individuals would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of marijuana (about 85 grams), with a maximum of five grams in concentrate form. A "Yes" vote will grant these rights to existing Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other licensed entities, while a "No" vote will maintain the current regulations.
Amendment 4 - Limit Government Interference with Abortion
This amendment aims to eliminate all current regulations on abortion and prohibit any future regulation. Many people do not know the current laws which are summarized below with a link to the full statute.
As currently worded, "Yes" vote will remove all regulations and prevent future regulations, while a "No" vote will keep the current regulations in place.
Key provisions include:
1. Termination Limitations: Physicians may not perform or induce an abortion after six weeks unless certain conditions are met, such as medical necessity to save the woman's life, a fatal fetal abnormality, or if the pregnancy results from rape, incest, or human trafficking (up to 15 weeks).
2. In-Person Procedures: Only licensed physicians can perform abortions, and they cannot use telehealth for this purpose. Medications for medical abortions must be dispensed in person.
3. Informed Consent: Written consent from the pregnant woman is required, which includes a detailed explanation of the procedure, gestational age, and potential risks. A mandatory ultrasound must be conducted, with the woman offered the chance to view the images.
4. Third-Trimester Standards: If an abortion occurs in the third trimester, the physician must attempt to preserve the fetus's life, unless it conflicts with the woman's health.
5. Partial-Birth Abortion and Experimentation: Partial-birth abortions are prohibited, with a limited exception for saving the mother's life. Additionally, no live fetus can be used for experimentation unless necessary for its health.
6. Fetal Remains: Fetal remains must be disposed of in a sanitary manner.
7. Refusal to Participate: Hospitals and individuals cannot be compelled to participate in abortion procedures based on moral or religious objections.
8. Penalties: Violating any of these regulations can lead to severe penalties, including felonies for physicians who do not comply.
9. Public Funding Restrictions: State funds cannot be used to support abortion clinics, except under specific conditions, such as cases of rape, incest, or medical necessity.
Amendment 5 - Property Tax Exemption Adjustment
As of 2024, property tax rates in Florida are set by counties, school districts, cities, and special districts. Homes are assessed at just value minus the homestead exemption, which offers a $25,000 exemption for primary residences. This amendment aims to ensure that the exemption adjusts annually for inflation, reducing the tax burden on homeowners for non-school property taxes. A "Yes" vote supports this annual inflation adjustment, while a "No" vote opposes it.
Amendment 6 - Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement
In 1998, voters approved public campaign financing for statewide offices. This program is funded by the General Revenue Fund. In 2022, the expenditure limit for gubernatorial candidates receiving public financing was $30.29 million, and for cabinet candidates, it was $15.14 million. A previous attempt to repeal this provision received 52.49% of the vote but was defeated due to Florida's requirement for a 60% supermajority for constitutional amendments. A "Yes" vote supports ending the use of taxes to fund these campaigns, while a "No" vote opposes the repeal and maintains taxpayer funding for candidates for governor and elected cabinet members.
You can read more about these amendments here:
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