What to quickly know about amendments

Election Day commences at 7 a.m. Tuesday. More than 60% of Florida’s registered voters have already cast ballots whether by mail or voting early, but there are still more than 5.6 million eligible voters that could turn out on Tuesday.

Those voters will decide on whether two Florida Supreme Court justices will keep their seats and the fate of six constitutional amendments.

Amendment 3 will ask voters if they believe recreational weed should be legalized for adults, while Amendment 4 will ask them to limit government interference when it comes to abortion laws.

Here’s what voters should know about Florida’s amendments before heading to the polls on Tuesday.

What is Florida’s Amendment 1 — Establishing school board elections as partisan?

Florida’s first Amendment tackles school board elections. In simple terms, Amendment 1 would require school district board members list their political party designation on the ballot and be elected in a partisan election, rather than the nonpartisan elections we have now.

What does voting yes, no on Amendment 1 mean?

Voting yes: Voting yes on Amendment 1 would make school board elections partisan, meaning parties could nominate their own candidates for the elections and require that candidates list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Voting no: Voting no on Amendment 1 would leave school board elections nonpartisan.

Click here to read the Amendment 1 full text.

What is Florida’s Amendment 2 — Right to fish and hunt

Florida’s Amendment 2 wants to make fishing and hunting a public right by enshrining it in the state’s constitution. There is currently no threat of bans or restrictions being placed on hunting and fishing in Florida, but lawmakers say the move is preemptive as other states have implemented similar measures.

What does voting yes, no on Amendment 2 mean?

Voting yes: Voting yes on Amendment 2 would limit what laws could be implemented in the future regarding hunting and fishing. The amendment’s text states that it does not limit the authority granted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee under Section 9 of Article IV of the State Constitution.

Voting no: Voting no on Amendment 2 would not change lawmakers’ ability to place restrictions on hunting and fishing activities.

Click here to read the Amendment 2 full text.

What is Florida’s Amendment 3 — Adult personal use of marijuana

Florida’s Amendment 3 would make it legal for adults 21 and older to have up to 3 ounces of marijuana and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate. It would also enable them to possess, purchase and use marijuana products and accessories without needing a medical marijuana card, as is the case now.

What does voting yes, no on Amendment 3 mean?

Voting yes: Voting yes to Florida Amendment 3 would legalize the use and possession of marijuana for recreational purposes for anyone 21 years old and older.

Voting no: Voting no to Florida Amendment 3 would keep recreational marijuana illegal.

Click here to read the Amendment 3 full text.

What is Florida’s Amendment 4 — Amendment to limit government interference with abortion

Florida’s Amendment 4 is easily the biggest of the election. It has to do with abortion and the government’s ability to restrict women from having one before viability or when it’s necessary to protect their life.

If the amendment passes, it would prevent any law from prohibiting, penalizing, delaying or restricting abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, placing the decision in the hands of the health care provider.

What does voting yes, no on Amendment 4 mean?

Voting yes: Voting yes on Florida Amendment 4 would make abortion legal until fetal viability, which is generally considered to be around 23-24 weeks. It would also allow abortions when necessary to protect a patient’s health, as determined by a health care provider.

Voting no: Voting no on Florida Amendment 4 would leave abortions illegal in Florida after 6 weeks unless two physicians are willing to state that the pregnant person would die without one.

Click here to read the Amendment 4 full text.

What is Florida’s Amendment 5 — Annual inflation adjustment for Homestead property tax exemption value

Florida’s Amendment 5 seeks to require an annual adjustment for inflation for the value of current or future homestead exemptions. It would create an inflation adjustment for the second half of a property owner’s $50,000 reduction from the taxable value of their home.

What does voting yes, no on Amendment 5 mean?

Voting yes: In Florida, homestead exemption gives homeowners two $25,000 exemptions that exempts a total of $50,000 off the taxable value of a home. Voting yes on this amendment, would create an inflation adjustment for the second of those two exemptions, which does not affect taxes that pay for schools. The measure would index assessments based on the percent change in the Consumer Price Index.

Voting no: Voting no on Amendment 5 would keep Florida’s homestead exemption the way it is now, which automatically raises taxes as property values rise with inflation.

Click here to read the Amendment 5 full text.

What is Florida’s Amendment 6 — Repeal of public campaign financing requirement

Florida’s Amendment 6 seeks to repeal public campaign financing, which gives some candidates running for specific positions, such as governor and other state cabinet positions, what is essentially a subsidy through the use of public money, provided that they stick to some restrictions on how much is spent.

What does voting yes, no on Amendment 6 mean?

Voting yes: Voting yes for Amendment 6 repeals the provision of the Florida Constitution that provides public funds to some candidates running for statewide positions.

Voting no: Voting no on Amendment 6 would keep public financing in place.

Click here to read the Amendment 6 full text.

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