This election is being considered the most important election in recent years, however, there are other things on the ballot besides Trump and Biden.
Along with the presidential candidates, there are six proposed constitutional amendments on Florida’s ticket that need a 60 percent approval rate to pass.
Reading amendments can be a little bit tricky, so here is break down of each amendment and their pros and cons.
Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections:
Proposed by: Florida Citizen Voters
What would it do: This would add two words to the constitution regarding voting. Right now, the state constitution states that every citizen of the United States who is at least 18 years old can vote. The Florida Citizen Voters want to change “every citizen” to “only a citizen”.
Pros: The leader of the organization, John Loudon, says that this will ensure that only citizens will be able to vote.
Cons: There has been no formal opposition in Florida.
Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage
Proposed by: Florida For A Fair Wage
What would it do: Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage from $8.56 to $10 on Sept 30. 2021. After that, the minimum wage will increase by $1 every year until 2026, when it reaches $15. After that, it will be adjusted by inflation.
Pros: Supporters say that Floridian’s are overdue for an increase in minimum wage and that the increase will help the economy.
Cons: The opposers say the increase in minimum wage will result in hours being cut and less hiring.
Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet:
Proposed by: All Voters Vote, funded by South Florida health care businessman Mike Fernandez
What would it do: This amendment will allow all voters, regardless of having a party affiliation, to be able to vote in the primary election with all candidates on the same ballot.
Pros: This will allow all voters to participate in the primary election. Supporters also believe that candidates will have to use more effort to gain votes from people with no party then having to tailor their message to partisan voters.
Cons: Believe it or not, the Florida’s Republican and Democratic parties agree that this amendment should not be passed. They believe that the amendment will abolish the primaries instead of opening them by pitting the candidates against each other.
Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Proposed by: Keep Our Constitution Clean, funded through a secretive nonprofit group
What would it do: This amendment will require that all amendments be approved through two elections instead of one, making it harder for amendments to be changed in the state constitution.
Pros: Supporters think it should be difficult to change the amendments and the state legislature should make new laws. They point out a 2002 amendment that protects pregnant pigs, saying this shows how out of hand the amendment process has gotten.
Cons: Changing the process could make it harder for Florida voters to amend the constitution since the process of getting an amendment on the ballot is already hard and expensive.
Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Assessments
Proposed by: The Florida Legislature
What would it do: This would increase the time from two years to three years to transfer your “Save Our Homes” benefit.
Pros: Taxable values would increase to 3 percent, giving homeowners more time to transfer that tax break to a new property.
Cons: The amendment would reduce local property tax by $1.8 million, resulting in loss of funds by local governments.
Amendment 6: Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities
Proposed by: The Florida Legislature
What would it do: Homestead property tax discounts for deceased veterans with combat-related disabilities would carry over to a veteran’s surviving spouse until he or she remarries or sells the property. If the spouse sells the property, but does not remarry, the new residence will get the tax discount.
Pros: It will provide additional assistance to veterans.
Cons: This amendment may result in slightly less money for schools and local governments.
There you have it. All six amendments to be on the ballot for this upcoming election. If you want to read more about the amendments or other amendments that didn’t make the ballot, you can visit https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/.