Abortion, weed can have a support pass

Deciding who will be the next president of the United States may not be the most interesting — or important — decision many Florida voters will make when they cast their ballots in the 2024 general election on Nov. 5.

Enshrining abortion rights in the Florida Constitution and allowing recreational marijuana use are two of six amendments on the ballot this year. Both have the support of the majority of Florida voters so far, if recent polls on the Amendment are to be believed.

As if these two issues weren’t formidable enough on their own, the remaining amendments focus on requiring homestead adjustments for inflation, reinforcing the right to fish and hunt in the Constitution, and electing school district board members in a partisan election and repeal a provision of the state constitution that provides public funding to some candidates running for statewide positions.

Florida Voting Rights Amendment Guide: Not sure how to vote on Florida’s six election amendments? Here’s what you should know about them

While early voting is already underway in some states, most Floridians will have to wait until October 21 to begin voting. Anyone who would prefer to vote by postal vote has until October 24th, 5 p.m. to submit their postal vote application.

Here’s a look at the polls on Florida’s amendments and a brief explanation of each.

Poll on Amendment 1 in Florida – Making school board elections partisan

What is that? Florida Amendment 1 would amend the state constitution to require school district board members to be elected in partisan elections, rather than the nonpartisan elections we have now.

What do the polls say? Florida Politics wrote Sept. 10 about two polls from Sachs Media’s Breakthrough Research that asked voters for their opinions on the proposed changes. Overall, 42% of voters supported Amendment 1. The poll found a cross-party decline among Republican and Democratic voters, according to Florida Politics.

Florida Amendment 2 Poll – Introduction of a state constitutional right to hunt and fish

What is that? Florida Amendment 2 aims to “perpetuate fishing and hunting as a public right.”

What do the polls say? So far, Sachs Media’s Breakthrough Research polls are the only data we have on sentiment around Amendment 2. Florida Politics reported 80% support for the measure overall, with strong bipartisan support among men and women and across all age groups.

Florida Amendment 3 Poll – Adult Use of Marijuana

What is that? Florida Amendment 3 would make it legal for adults 21 and older to consume up to 3 ounces of marijuana and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate. It would also allow them to possess, purchase and use marijuana products and accessories without needing a medical marijuana card as they currently do.

What do the polls say? As you may have guessed, there is significantly more polling activity on Amendment 3. An August 14 Florida Atlantic University (FAU) poll found that 56% of all voters supported recreational legalization, with the measure more popular among younger voters (18-49). It is most popular among Democrats and independent voters.

Sachs Media’s Breakthrough Research polls showed even greater support. Overall, 65% of voters surveyed supported the measure. Sachs Media found that it received strong support from Democrats (79%) and about 51% of Republicans. It is strongly supported by both genders and all age groups.

Poll on Amendment 4 in Florida – Amendment to limit government intervention in abortion

What is that? Florida’s Amendment 4 is one of the most important in this election. It has to do with abortion and the government’s ability to prevent women from having an abortion before they are viable or when it is necessary to protect their lives.

What do the polls say? Florida’s abortion amendment has received the most attention from pollsters. The FAU poll found that 56% of voters supported the measure, with Hispanics giving the highest support at 66%. Among men, 54% were in favor of the abortion change, among women it was 59% and among 18 to 49 year olds it was 62%. Among Democrats, 80% are in favor, compared to 35% of Republicans, while 59% of independents are in favor.

A recent New York Times and Siena College poll found the measure had only 46% support, with 38% of voters saying they would vote against Amendment 4 and 16% still undecided.

In a poll conducted in early September by The Hill and Emerson College Polling, 55% of Florida voters said they would likely vote “yes” on Amendment 4, while 26% said they would vote no and 20% said they are not sure.

Sachs Media’s Breakthrough Research polls again show stronger support for Amendment 4 than the polls mentioned above. Overall, 76% of respondents supported the amendment, with 97% of Democrats and 78% of independent voters supporting it. The poll found that 57% of Republicans supported the amendment, a significant outlier from the others.

Vote on Amendment 5 in Florida – Inflation Adjustment Through Homestead Exemption

What is that? Florida’s Amendment 5 aims to require an annual inflation adjustment for the value of current or future homestead exemptions. This would result in an inflation adjustment for the second half of a property owner’s $50,000 reduction from the taxable value of their home.

What do the polls say? Sachs Media’s Breakthrough Research polls show support consistently at exactly 80%. Support is strong across both parties, genders and all ages.

Florida Amendment 6 Poll – Repeal public campaign financing

What is that? Florida’s Amendment 6 aims to eliminate public campaign financing, which is provided to some candidates running for certain positions, such as: Such as governorships and other state cabinet positions, essentially provide a subsidy through the use of public funds, provided they adhere to certain restrictions on the amount spent.

What do the polls say? According to Sachs Media Breakthrough Research polling, support for Amendment 6 is almost evenly split: 49% support repeal and 51% oppose it.

How many votes does a Florida constitutional amendment need to pass?

All constitutional amendments in Florida require a 60% majority.