Voting 2024 – Florida Amendments
By: Deborah Dietz
Amendments are changes to the Florida Constitution that are voted on during a general election.
A proposed amendment requires at least 60% approval from voters for it to pass. This is called a supermajority vote.
This year, we have six (6) amendments on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Amendment 1 – Partisan Elections of Members of District School Boards
Summary: Currently, when someone runs for a school board position, the election is non-partisan. This amendment would change the rules and require the person that runs for a school board position to be affiliated with a political party. If this amendment passes it will impact elections in 2026.
If you vote yes: The law would change, and it would require that a person running for a school board position to be affiliated with a political party. This means that in a primary election, you could only vote for the candidate that is the same political party as you are.
If you vote no: The law would stay the same and all school board elections would remain nonpartisan. All voters would be allowed to vote for any candidate.
Amendment 2 – Right to Fish and Hunt
Summary: Currently, there is a Florida statute passed in 2002, that allows people to hunt and fish in Florida. This amendment would put into law two different things related to fishing and hunting. First, it would say that hunting and fishing is allowed in Florida. Second, it would say that hunting and fishing is the preferred way to manage and control wildlife and fish in Florida.
If you vote Yes: The law would say that a person has a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Florida and that hunting and fishing is the preferred way to manage and control fish and wildlife in Florida.
If you vote No: The statute would stay the same but it would not be added to the constitution and the second part would not be added that says that the preferred way to manage and control wildlife and fish in Florida is by hunting and fishing.
Amendment 3 – Adult Personal Use of Marijuana
Summary: Currently, only the medical use of marijuana is allowed in Florida. This means that you need a prescription from a medical professional in order to be able to legally use marijuana in Florida. This amendment would expand the legal use of marijuana to include anyone over the age of 21. Any adult over the age of 21 would be able to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical person use. This is known as “recreational marijuana”*.
*Note this only applies to state law, it would still be illegal under federal law.
If you vote Yes: It would be legal to use recreational marijuana in Florida if you are over the age of 21. The person would be able to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana for personal use.
If you vote No: Marijuana would continue to be used for medical purposes but not for recreational purposes and would need to be prescribed by a medical professional.
Amendment 4 – Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion
Summary: In 2024, a new law went into effect that banned abortion after six weeks except for the life of the woman, rape, or incest. This amendment would change the new law so that abortion would be legal before fetal viability* or when necessary to protect the patient’s health as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. The amendment would not change the need for parental notification for minors seeking an abortion.
*Viability means the stage of fetal development when the life of a fetus is sustainable outside the womb through standard medical measures. (defined by FL Statute Chapter 390.011)
If you vote Yes: Then the current law will be repealed.
If you vote No: There would be no constitutional right to abortion before viability and it would leave the 6-week abortion ban in place.
Amendment 5 – Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions
Summary: Currently, all properties that are the primary resident of a taxpayer are given a tax credit called a “homestead exemption”. The value of the exemption is $25,000, this value never changes. Homesteads valued between $50,000 and $75,000 receive another $25,000 exemption, which exempts that amount from all property taxes except school district taxes. This new amendment would allow for an annual inflation adjustment each year based on the Consumer Price Index for homesteads on the second exemption between $50,000 and $75,000. The adjustment will only happen if the Consumer Price Index increases. If it increases, then the government would change the amount of the homestead exemption, and the taxpayer would pay less in taxes.
If you vote Yes: Every year in January, if the Consumer Price Index increases, the homestead exemption amount will be reviewed and adjusted for inflation. This means that the properties taxes would decrease for the homeowner which means that the government would have less money to spend on services in the local community.
If you vote No: The current homestead exemption amount will stay the same, and nothing will change.
Amendment 6 – Public Financing for Campaigns of Candidates for Elective Statewide Office
Summary: Currently, there are laws in place that allow candidates running for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture, to get matching funds for contributions made by individual residents who contribute $250 or less if they agree to spending limits. The laws were enacted to limit the amount of donations from special interest groups and large donations. This new amendment would take away spending limits and discontinue matching funds for candidates.
If you vote Yes: The current law will be repealed, and the Florida public campaign financing program will end. Also, there will be no spending limits for candidates running for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture.
If you vote No: Then the current public campaign financing program will stay the same and there will be spending limits for publicly funded candidates.
