There are six amendments to Florida’s state constitution on the ballot this fall. Each amendment requires a 60% YES vote to become law. Below is a brief description of each amendment and our position on it.
Or you can download our printable PDF and share it with friends & neighbors.
In short the only amendment we are supporting is Amendment 2, to increase the minimum wage in Florida. We oppose amendments 1,3,4,5 & 6.
If you’d like to join our campaign to support Amendment 2 and help Florida workers contact us today!
Amendment 1: Citizen Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections
Our position: NO
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT SAY? Provides that “ONLY” United States Citizens who are at least eighteen years of age, a permanent resident of FL, and registered to vote, shall be qualified to vote in a FL election.
WHY DO WE OPPOSE IT? This Amendment is not expected to result in any changes to the voter registration process, but is a dog whistle – in other words, it is coded or suggestive language in political messaging meant for a specific audience without garnering opposition. The Florida Constitution currently says, “EVERY citizen of the United States […] may register and vote.” Suggesting “ONLY” United States Citizens can vote is a racist dog whistle meant to stoke xenophobic sentiments while otherwise appearing an innocuous, well-intentioned revision.
Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage
Our position: YES
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT SAY? Raises the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30, 2021 and increases $1.00 every year until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026.
WHY DO WE ENDORSE IT? 47% of people in FL are poor or low income – that is almost 10 million people! From 1979 to 2012, income for the top 1% grew by 176%, while income for the bottom 99% fell 12%. This increase in minimum wage will provide economic relief to millions of working class residents and their families, including 60% of children (2.5 million), 52% of women (5.4 million), 66% of black people (2 million), 63% of latinx people (3.3 million), and 39% of white people (4.3 million).
Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet
Our position: NO
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT SAY? Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. Two highest vote getters advance to general election. Effective January 1, 2024.
WHY DO WE OPPOSE IT? This does not propose an Open Primary system in the classical sense; a system where voters pick which primary ballot they want to vote in regardless of their partisan registration. Rather, this proposes a “Top Two” system that could result in two candidates from the same party advancing to the general election. Winners from Top Two Open Primaries usually reflect whichever demographic predominates: white, or non-white. This would disproportionately silence black Floridians and other voters of color. This is voter suppression disguised as a call for an open, more democratic voting system.
Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Our position: NO
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT SAY? Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage (60% of the vote) to each of the two elections.
WHY DO WE OPPOSE IT? Florida has a bad reputation for undermining voter-passed Constitutional Amendments, including the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative from 2014, and the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative in 2018. This is directly ignoring the will of the people! If this amendment passes, it will significantly limit citizens’ ability to engage in direct democracy due to the increased cost and time required to bring citizen initiatives to the ballot.
Amendment 5: Limit on Homestead Exemption
Our position: NO
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT SAY? This amendment would increase, from 2 years to 3 years, the period during which accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead, effective date January 1, 2021.
WHY DO WE OPPOSE IT? This amendment would reduce property tax revenues for local funding of resources and services such as schools, fire, and infrastructure; it would also limit local governments from controlling their own budgets based on their county needs.
Amendment 6: Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans who had Permanent, Combat-related Disabilities
Our position: NO
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT SAY? Allows a homestead property tax discount to carry over to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with permanent combat-related disabilities. This discount would take effect January 1, 2021 and remain in effect until the spouse remarries, sells or disposes of the property except under certain conditions.
WHY DO WE OPPOSE IT? This amendment would reduce property tax revenues for local funding of resources and services such as schools, fire, and infrastructure; and it would add tax law to the Florida Constitution, making it difficult to alter in response to changing or emergency economic conditions.