The 2024 presidential election, still two months away, seems to have dragged on much longer than it actually has. For Florida, it’s more than just a vote on who will represent its people in the White House, because two big changes are hanging over the state.
Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 both revolve around controversial issues – the legalization of recreational marijuana and abortion. In the 2024 election, Floridians will have the opportunity to decide the fate of both issues, although most voters are likely aware that whether they pass or not, these issues will be on the agenda in the Sunshine State for years to come.
However, these are not the only amendments that will be voted on this year. Four other amendments address the partisan nature of school board elections, the anchoring of hunting and fishing rights in the state constitution, the introduction of an inflation adjustment for the property tax exemption and the abolition of public campaign financing.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about the legal changes in Florida for the 2024 presidential election.
What makes Florida’s Amendment 1 – the introduction of school board elections – partisan?
Amendment 1 would amend the Florida State Constitution to require school district board members to be elected in a partisan election rather than a nonpartisan election as is currently the case.
What does it mean to vote for Amendment 1?
A yes vote on Amendment 1 would make school board elections partisan, meaning parties could nominate their own candidates for election and require candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.
What does it mean to vote no on Amendment 1?
A no vote on Amendment 1 would keep school board elections nonpartisan.
Text of Florida Amendment 1
Here is the full text for Florida Amendment 1:
A general election shall be held in each county on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year to elect a successor to every elected state and county official whose term of office expires before the next general election and, except as otherwise provided herein, to fill every vacancy in any elective office for the remainder of the term. A general election may be suspended or postponed due to a state of emergency or imminent emergency under general law.
Special elections and referendums shall be held in accordance with the law.
(b) If all candidates for an office belong to the same party and the winner in the general election is unopposed, all eligible voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in the primary election for that office.
(c) All elections to the State Legislature, Governor and Cabinet shall be held as follows:
(1) A single primary election shall be held for each office. All voters registered for the office to be filled shall be entitled to vote in the primary election for that office, regardless of whether the voter is a member of a political party or not.
(2) All candidates who qualify for office shall be placed on the same ballot paper in the primary election, regardless of whether the candidate belongs to a political party or not.
(3) The two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the primary election shall qualify for the general election. In elections in which only two candidates qualify for the same office, no primary election shall be held and the winner shall be determined in the general election.
(4) This paragraph does not prohibit a political party from nominating a candidate for office under this paragraph. This paragraph does not prohibit a political party from supporting or endorsing a candidate as provided by law. A candidate’s political party affiliation may appear on the ballot as provided by law.
(5) This amendment is self-executing and shall enter into force on 1 January 2027.
What does Florida’s Second Amendment mean, which gives the state a constitutional right to hunt and fish?
Florida’s Amendment 2 is relatively simple and aims to “preserve fishing and hunting as a public right forever.” You may be wondering why such an amendment exists, and that’s a good question. To date, Florida has had no bans or restrictions on hunting and fishing. However, the move is preemptive, as other states have implemented similar measures, according to the James Madison Institute.
What does it mean to vote for Amendment 2?
A yes vote on Amendment 2 would enshrine the right to hunt and fish in the state constitution and would limit the ability of legislators to restrict those acts in the future. The text of the amendment states that it does not limit the powers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee under Section 9 of Article IV of the state constitution.
What does it mean to vote ‘no’ on Amendment 2?
A no vote on Amendment 2 would not affect the legislature’s authority to impose restrictions on hunting and fishing activities.
Text of Florida’s Amendment 2
What is Florida Amendment 3?
Under Florida’s Third Amendment, it would be legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, and they would be able to possess, purchase and use marijuana products and paraphernalia without needing a medical marijuana card as is currently the case.
What does it mean to vote on Amendment 3?
A yes vote on Florida Amendment 3 would legalize the use and possession of marijuana for recreational purposes for anyone age 21 or older.
What does it mean to vote ‘no’ on Amendment 3?
A no vote on the Third Amendment to the Florida Amendment Act would keep marijuana illegal for recreational use.
Text of Florida’s Amendment 3
Here is a look at the full text of Amendment 3:
What is Florida’s Amendment 4?
Florida’s Amendment 4 is one of the most important issues in this election. It deals with abortion and the government’s ability to prohibit women from becoming pregnant unless they survive or it is necessary to protect their lives.
If passed, the amendment would prevent any law that prohibits, penalizes, delays or restricts abortion before the opportunity to terminate a pregnancy exists or when it is necessary to protect the patient’s health, placing the decision in the hands of the health care provider.
Text of Florida’s Amendment 4
Here is the full text of Amendment 4:
“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict an abortion before it is viable or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider. This amendment does not alter the constitutional authority of the Legislature to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor obtains an abortion.”
What does it mean to vote on Amendment 4?
A yes vote on Florida Amendment 4 would legalize abortions until the fetus is viable, generally estimated to be around 23-24 weeks. It would also allow abortions when necessary to protect the patient’s health and determined by a physician.
What does it mean to vote ‘no’ on Amendment 4?
If Florida Amendment 4 is voted against, abortions in Florida would be illegal even after the sixth week of pregnancy unless two doctors declare that the pregnant woman would die without an abortion.
What is Florida’s Amendment 5 – Inflation Adjustment of Property Tax Exemption?
Florida Amendment 5 provides for an annual inflation adjustment for the value of current or future property tax exemptions. This would provide an inflation adjustment for the second half of the $50,000 home tax credit.
What does it mean to vote on Amendment 5?
In Florida, the Homestead Exemption gives homeowners two exemptions of $25,000, so a total of $50,000 is deducted from a home’s taxable value. A yes vote on this amendment would create an inflation adjustment for the second of these two exemptions that does not affect taxes used for schools. The measure would index assessments based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.
What does it mean to vote ‘no’ on Amendment 5?
A no vote on Amendment 5 would keep Florida’s property tax exemption in its current form, which automatically results in a tax increase when property values rise with inflation.
Text of Florida’s Amendment 5
What does Florida’s Amendment 6 mean – abolishing public campaign financing?
Amendment 6 is intended to abolish public campaign financing in Florida. This essentially grants subsidies from public funds to some candidates for certain offices, such as the governor’s office or other ministerial posts in the state, provided they adhere to certain limits on the amount of their spending.
What does it mean to vote on Amendment 6?
A yes vote on Amendment 6 repeals the provision of the Florida Constitution that provides public funds to some candidates for statewide office.
What does it mean to vote ‘no’ on Amendment 6?
A no vote on Amendment 6 would maintain public funding.
