Florida Ballot Initiatives
The following summaries include statewide constitutional amendments, but your ballot may include additional local initiatives depending on where you are registered to vote. To learn more about local initiatives or to find measures from other states, please visit the resource at the bottom of the page.
Amendment 1
Limitation on the Assessment of Real Property Used for Residential Purposes
Originator: Florida Legislature
“Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective January 1, 2023, to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit the consideration of any change or improvement made to real property used for residential purposes to improve the property’s resistance to flood damage in determining the assessed value of such property for ad valorem taxation purposes.”
IRL Translation: Homeowners who make improvements to their homes to protect against floods will not have their property taxes increased because of these improvements. Adding flood resistant protection would not be considered when assessing the value of the property.
YES/NO
- A “YES” vote would authorize the Florida Legislature to pass laws that would exempt flood resistance improvements from contributing to increases in property assessments. Voting YES means property owners would not pay higher taxes because of the improvement they would be making and the improvements would not be taken into consideration when determining a property’s assessed value for property tax purposes.
- A “NO” vote opposes the amendment, which would allow flood resistance improvements to a home be taken into consideration when determining a property’s assessed value for tax purposes. Voting NO means homeowners’ flood resistance improvements may result in higher property assessments and taxes.
A 60% favorable vote is required for approval.
Amendment 2
Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission
Originator: Florida Legislature
“Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets at 20-year intervals and is scheduled to next convene in 2037, as a method of submitting proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution to electors of the state for approval. This amendment does not affect the ability to revise or amend the State Constitution through citizen initiative, constitutional convention, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, or legislative joint resolution.”
IRL Translation: The CRC is a 37-member group of Florida citizens appointed by the Governor, leaders of the Florida House, and Senate, and the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Historically, this group meets every 20 years and has had 8 of its 17 proposed amendments approved by Florida voters. Abolishing (getting rid of) the Constitution Revision Committee means having to rely entirely on other systems to add ballot initiatives or citizen initiatives to the FL Constitution, which can be costly. An amendment to Florida’s Constitution can get on the ballot in several ways; abolishing the Constitution Revision Board forces requires the general public to rely on other means which involve more checks and balances to occur. With the Constitution Revision Board, initiatives can be directly placed on the ballot without as many hoops.
YES/NO
- A “YES” vote supports eliminating the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, and its ability to meet every 20 years to consider changes to the State Constitution. This would leave four ways for a constitutional amendment to get on the ballot: 1) through the Legislature, 2) a citizen-led initiative, 3) constitutional convention, or the 4) Taxation and Budget reform Commission.
- A “NO” vote preserves and maintains the state’s Constitution Revision Commission and its ability to present amendments to the voters every 20 years.
A 60% favorable vote is required for approval.
Amendment 3
Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Specified Critical Public Service Workforce
Originator: Florida Legislature
“Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize a Legislature, by law, to grant additional homestead tax exemption for non-school levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare service professionals, active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members. This amendment shall take effect January 1, 2023.”
IRL Translation: Homeowners are taxed based on the cost of their homes minus some exemptions. This would authorize the Florida State Legislature to provide an additional homestead property tax exemption (the savings) on 50k of assessed value on property for some select public service workers (classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare service professionals, active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard).
YES/NO
- A “YES” vote supports authorizing the Florida State Legislature to provide an additional homestead property tax exemption on $50,000 of assessed value on property owned by certain public service workers, including teachers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, active-duty members of the military and Florida National Guard, and child welfare service employees.
- A “NO” vote denies authorizing the Florida State Legislature to provide an additional homestead property tax exemption on $50,000 of assessed value on property owned by certain public service workers.
A 60% favorable vote is required for approval.
