The 6 Constitutional Amendments for 2024
Below are the Florida Constitutional Amendments that will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024, and what they mean.
And the SemDems recommendations for votes are as follows:
1 - NO
2 - NO
3 - YES!
4 - YES!
5 - NO
6 - NO
Amendment 1: Partisan School Board Elections - NO
This amendment would make school board elections partisan statewide. Specifically, the candidate's party affiliation would appear on the ballot, and the candidate could campaign with their party affiliation. This would reverse a 1988 Florida constitution amendment that made school board races nonpartisan.
Added to the Ballot by: The Florida Legislature
Amendment 2: Fishing and Hunting - NO
This amendment would establish fishing and hunting as a public right and the preferred way to manage and control fish and wildlife in Florida.
Added to the Ballot by: The Florida Legislature
Amendment 3: Recreational Marijuana Legalization - YES!
This amendment would allow recreational use of marijuana for those 21 years old or older (without requiring a doctor's recommendation). Restrictions on possession amounts and licenses for sellers would also be established.
Added to the Ballot by: Citizen-Led Amendment (SemDems helped collect these petitions!)
Amendment 4: Abortion Access Increase - YES!
This amendment would increase access to abortion in Florida by prohibiting state government from making laws that interfere with abortion services. It would reverse Florida's six-week abortion ban that went into effect on May 1, 2024. The key text states: "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider." Parents or guardians would still be required to be notified before a minor has an abortion.
Added to the Ballot by: Citizen-Led Amendment (SemDems helped collect these petitions!)
Amendment 5: Inflation Adjustment for Homestead Taxes - NO
This amendment would implement cost-of-living increases for some homestead exemptions. This would reduce taxes paid by some homeowners but would also reduce revenues to local government. This amendment does not apply to school board taxes. (Note: Property taxes are based on the value of the home. Homestead exemptions reduce the taxable value, thus reducing taxes owed by the homeowner.)
Added to the Ballot by: The Florida Legislature
Amendment 6: Public Campaign Financing - NO
This amendment would take away a state constitution provision that provides public funds for those running for statewide office who agree to follow certain campaign spending limits.
Added to the Ballot by: The Florida Legislature
For more details, see the excellent descriptions posted on Ballotpedia.