Florida election: What you need to know about constitutional amendments

The Florida League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan grassroots organization that encourages voter participation, has put together a comprehensive guide called “All You Need to Vote in Florida.”  The guide is designed to educate and inform voters about upcoming elections but doesn’t endorse or recommend any particular candidate.

Among the guide’s contents is an explanation of the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution on the November 6 ballot. We think you may find it helpful to read in preparation for casting an informed vote.

Here is an example of the information provided:

Amendment 1
Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Grants an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homes valued over $125,000. Owners of homes worth more than $100,000 would also receive an increase in their exemption.

A YES vote on Amendment 1 would:
Allow homeowners to deduct an additional $25,000 from the taxable value of a home worth more than $100,000, starting on Jan. 1, 2019.

• Exclude local school taxes from the new exemption.
• Cost Florida’s cities, counties and other taxing authorities an estimated $687.5 million annually, starting in 2019, according to the Florida Association of Counties.
• Likely result in cuts to services or higher local rates to make up for the revenue losses, or possibly both.

A NO vote on Amendment 1 would:

• Retain the current homestead tax exemptions, which total $50,000.
• Have no effect on the amount of tax revenue collected by city and county governments.

Supporters: Unknown

Opponents: Florida Association of Counties; Florida Education Association; Florida League of Cities; Florida Policy Institute; League of Women Voters of Florida; Progress Florida; Southern Poverty Law Center

Learn more about additional amendments — what they say, the effect of a YES or NO vote, and known supporters and opponents — by following this link to BeReadyToVote.Org.