Our recommendations on the Amendments

Florida Voters will have six choices to amend the Florida Constitution this year. This is an overview and our recommendations on which amendments to vote for and against.

Vote NO on Amendment 1: Partisan Election of School Board Members

This amendment amends the Florida state constitution to require school board members to be elected in partisan elections rather than nonpartisan elections, starting in November 2026. This amendment would bring politics into our public schools where it does not belong. School boards should remain nonpartisan and focused on educating our kids, not political party agendas. We urge voters to vote NO on this amendment.

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Vote NO on Amendment 2: Right to Fish and Hunt

This amendment preserves the right to fish and hunt through traditional means forever. There is no reason to pass this anti-environment amendment, which would limit conservation efforts. We urge voters to vote NO on this amendment.

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Vote YES on Amendment 3: Adult Personal Use of Marijuana

This amendment would allow adults 21 years of age and older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and necessities for non-medical personal consumption. Voters should vote YES on this amendment, and give residents the constitutional right to consume marijuana as they wish. There will be a fiscal impact of $195.6 million added to state and local revenue through sales tax collection. After the failed War on Drugs, w believe that the time is now to let the people choose.

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Vote YES on Amendment 4: Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion

After years of the legislature trying to strip away reproductive choice, voters will now get to choose whether to limit the government's intervention in their reproductive decisions. Florida's legislature has passed a 15-week, and more recently, a 6-week extremist abortion ban. Doctors are criminalized for providing this care to their patients. Women have to travel out of the state to get this care. It is cruel and unusual. Voters should vote YES to this amendment, and get Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party out of medical decisions.

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Vote NO on Amendment 5: Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions

Tis amendment provides an annual adjustment to the value of current or future homestead exemptions that apply only to levies other than school district levies. This amendment would take effect on January 1st, 2025. It is an unnecessary tax break. Vote NO on this amendment.

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Vote NO on Amendment: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement

This amendment proposes the repeal of a provision in the state constitution that requires public financing for campaigns or candidates for statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits. This amendment is unnecessary. We don't need more big money in the political process. Vote NO on this amendment.

Endorsements are the viewpoints of The County's Editorial Board members Elijah Manley, and Luc Saint-Genies. Endorsement may or may not reflect the personal beliefs and preferences of individual members of the Editorial Board, or The County's writers.