Florida voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on six constitutional amendments during the November 5 election, which could lead to significant changes across the state.
Here’s a brief overview of each amendment:
Amendment 1: Establishing School Board Elections as Partisan
- What it does:
This amendment would shift school board elections back to partisan races. Candidates would be listed with their political party on the ballot, reversing a 1998 decision to make school board elections nonpartisan. - A “Yes” vote means:
School board elections would become partisan again, allowing candidates to be nominated by political parties and have their affiliation listed on ballots starting in 2026. - A “No” vote means:
School board elections remain nonpartisan as they currently are.
Amendment 2: Right to Hunt and Fish
- What it does:
Enshrines the right to hunt and fish in the Florida Constitution, establishing these activities as the preferred method of managing wildlife. - A “Yes” vote means:
Hunting and fishing would become constitutionally protected rights, making it harder for lawmakers to impose restrictions. - A “No” vote means:
The state legislature retains more flexibility to regulate hunting and fishing for conservation purposes.
Amendment 3: Legalization of Recreational Marijuana
- What it does:
Legalizes marijuana for recreational use for adults 21 and older, allowing them to purchase and possess cannabis from licensed dispensaries. - A “Yes” vote means:
Recreational marijuana would be legalized in Florida, allowing adults to buy and use marijuana without a medical card. - A “No” vote means:
Recreational marijuana remains illegal.
Amendment 4: Abortion Access
- What it does:
Legalizes abortion in Florida until fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks, and allows abortions when necessary to protect a patient’s health. - A “Yes” vote means:
Abortion would be legal until fetal viability or to protect the health of the mother. - A “No” vote means:
Abortion remains illegal after 6 weeks, except in cases where two physicians agree the pregnant person’s life is at risk.
Amendment 5: Homestead Exemption Inflation Adjustment
- What it does:
Ties the homestead property tax exemption to inflation, potentially reducing the amount homeowners pay in property taxes. - A “Yes” vote means:
The value of the homestead tax exemption would adjust annually based on inflation. - A “No” vote means:
The homestead exemption remains unchanged, regardless of inflation.
Amendment 6: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing
- What it does:
Eliminates public financing for candidates running for statewide office in Florida, including governor and attorney general. - A “Yes” vote means:
Public funding for these candidates would end. - A “No” vote means:
Public financing for statewide candidates would continue.
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