We bring you this special edition of our eNewsletter to provide useful information about the constitutional amendments on the November 2024 ballot. We hope this helps as you consider the pros and cons of these amendments and how you choose to vote.
There are four ways to amend the current Florida Constitution, which was ratified in 1968. These include: (1) joint resolution by the Florida Legislature; (2) proposal before the Florida Constitution Revision Commission; (3) citizens’ initiative; and (4) proposal before the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
This year, there are six proposed amendments, including two by citizens’ initiative, and four by the Florida Legislature. The two amendments placed on the ballot through petitions (i.e., a citizens’ initiative) are Amendments 3 and 4. The four amendment resolutions introduced and passed by the Legislature include Amendments 1, 2, 5 and 6. Below is an outline of the proposals. To review the actual wording of each amendment, please click on the highlighted amendment number.
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Amendment 6 – Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement
Presently, there is a right to public financing under Section 7 of Article VI of the Florida Constitution, which requires that the state provide a public campaign financing program for candidates seeking statewide office (Governor and Cabinet). The amendment would repeal the right to public financing for candidates running for state-wide offices.
Supporters of this measure argue that those running for statewide office should not be entitled to taxpayer money for election purposes, and that getting rid of public campaign financing could allocate general revenue funds to other important programs and issues in the state.
Opponents of this amendment state that the matching fund program gives small-dollar donors a greater voice and encourages candidates to seek support from broad groups of voters. Further, if the program is repealed, wealthy donors and special interest groups would no longer be limited by the amounts they can contribute to these candidates. In addition, public financing enables candidates who are not wealthy or who have more limited access to financing to be able to run for office, leading to a wider choice of candidates.