What does your vote mean on Florida’s election amendments?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Early voting in the Sunshine State begins Monday, Oct. 21, in Duval County.

There are six amendments on the ballot that could potentially change the state constitution. Some are more controversial than others. And sometimes the language on the ballot can be confusing when trying to decide yes or no to an amendment.

Among the most controversial ballot measures Florida voters will decide on are Amendment 3 and Amendment 4. Both ballot measures were placed on the ballot through petition signatures.

Change 3

Amendment 3 would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older if passed.

Chris Hand is a government law attorney and author who served as press secretary to U.S. Senator and former Florida Governor Bob Graham. He says this ballot initiative follows in the footsteps of other states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use.

“This would adopt the same policy here in the state of Florida, because as we know medical marijuana is already legal in Florida due to a state constitutional amendment several years ago, this would expand that to again include small amounts of recreational marijuana, which would not require a doctor’s prescription,” Hand said.

Daniel Cronrath, a political science professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville, explains the difference between a “yes” and a “no” vote on Amendment 3.

“A ‘yes’ vote on Amendment 3 is a vote to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state of Florida,” Cronrath said. “A ‘no’ vote would mean that the existing law would remain in place and those with health insurance cards would be allowed to enter the country. However, for recreational use, marijuana would remain an illegal drug in Florida.”

Change 4

Amendment 4 allows voters to decide a woman’s right to an abortion.

Cronrath explains what Amendment 4 is intended to achieve.

“Amendment 4 is by far the most controversial of our ballot amendments this election cycle and would allow a woman to seek an abortion before what the medical community would determine would be the viability of the child or fetus,” Cronrath said. “The American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said that there is a window of 24 weeks before a child actually has more than a 50/50 chance of survival if it is to be removed from the uterus at this point in the pregnancy. ”

Hand explains what a “yes” vote and a “no” vote on Amendment 4 would mean.

“A yes vote would protect and enshrine in the Florida Constitution a right that protects reproductive choice up to the point of feasibility, and you know, other times when the mother’s health should be compromised,” Hand said. “A ‘no’ vote would not add this right to the Constitution. And the practical effect would be that Florida’s current six-week abortion ban would remain Florida law.”

Change 1

Amendment 1 asks voters whether they want to reverse a 1998 voter decision that made school board elections nonpartisan. Hand says unlike Amendments 3 and 4, lawmakers voted to place this measure on the ballot.

He explains what a “yes” or “no” vote would mean for this ballot measure.

“‘Yes’ would mean school board elections would become partisan again, starting in 2026, candidates would have to run as Democrats, Republicans, other parties or candidates with no party affiliation,” Hand told News4Jax. “A ‘no’ would keep the system as it is now, where school boards are impartial. People are running for these offices in a nonpartisan manner, with no party affiliation on the ballot.”

Change 2

Amendment 2 allows voters to decide on the right to hunt and fish and also relates it to the management of fish and wildlife populations.

Cronrath says if this amendment passes, lawmakers would not have the authority to restrict people’s ability to fish or hunt.

“Amendment 2 would amend the Florida Constitution to give someone a constitutional right to fish and hunt,” Cronrath said. “Now, under Florida statute, everyone already has the right to fish and hunt, but according to its advocates, this would remove any ambiguity.”

However, there are concerns from environmental groups.

“Some environmental groups have opposed Amendment 2 because they are afraid of language that says things like “the use of traditional hunting methods.” Many hunting methods we actually abolished under Florida law because they were considered cruel and unusual for the animal,” Cronrath explained.

Cronrath explains the difference between a “yes” vote and a “no” vote on Amendment 2.

“A ‘yes’ vote for amendment means you want to amend the Florida Constitution to constitutionally recognize everyone’s right to hunt and fish. A no vote would simply allow the Florida statute to remain in its current form, which essentially does the same thing,” Cronrath said.

Change 5

Amendment 5 would add language to the Constitution to adjust the value of homestead exemptions and tie the changes to inflation. Hand explains the two sides of this amendment.

“Campaign advocates have said this is important because housing costs in Florida have continued to rise and it is important that people’s purchasing power not be eroded by inflation. Therefore, it will be indexed to inflation, thereby tying the home tax exemption to inflation.” “Relieves Floridians of the tax burden and helps them keep up with rising prices,” Hand said. “Opponents of this have said that this could have a very significant impact on local and local governments, city governments and county governments, that it would significantly reduce revenue and that a reduction in revenue could impact other public services that local governments provide. “

Hand explains the difference between a “yes” and a “no” vote on Amendment 5.

“A yes vote would affect the exemption of the first $25,000 of your homestead from property taxes and therefore inflation. So if inflation rises, the homestead tax exemption would also rise. It wouldn’t stay at $25,000 forever. It could increase. As you know, costs and prices are increasing,” Hand explained. “A ‘no’ vote would maintain the flat rate of $25,000 going forward.”

Amendment 6

Amendment 6 asks voters whether they want to repeal part of the state constitution regarding public financing of statewide election campaigns. The matching funds program for public campaign financing has existed since 1998.

Cronrath explains the story behind this amendment.

“We the people said that we wanted to provide additional public funding for certain statewide offices and that a certain amount of money would be allocated for that,” Cronrath said. “It was a way to create competitiveness for candidates who weren’t necessarily wealthy.”

Hand explains what a “yes” vote and a “no” vote on Amendment 6 would mean.

“A yes vote would mean that this system of public funding would be abolished. Florida would no longer provide matching funds to candidates for statewide office. In each of the past elections, 2022, 2018, 2014, going back to 2000, the first year this change took effect, candidates for statewide office have largely accepted these corresponding funds, so this would be significant of that change something,” said Hand.

“A no vote means that the system stays as it is,” explained Hand. “And candidates running for statewide office in 2026, when we elect a new governor, a new attorney general and a new chief financial officer, there will also be a race for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Candidates running for these offices could use the matching fund system if this amendment is defeated.”

To amend the Florida Constitution, 60% of the vote is required. For more information about which races you will see on your ballot, including these changes, see our News4Jax voter guide.

Early voting begins Monday, October 21st. Election day is Tuesday, November 5th.