Most talk of course is regarding the Presidential race, but for those of us who live in Florida on here, down ballot, how are you voting on the Amendments? Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 are the big ones of course. As a Republican who is more on the Libertarian side than the Conservative side, I'll admit that whatever the big groups say, I typically try to vote the opposite. Amendment 1 - Yes. While I don't necessarily like seeing things be more partisan, I think it's important to know where school board candidates stand politically. It's good in my opinion for transparency, even if it does make the process more contentous. Amendment 2 - Yes. Seems like a pretty nonpartisan amendment. I know it's redundant since there are already state laws allowing people to hunt and fish as long as they have the permit, but I like enshrining it in the state constitution. Only concern I can see being raised is if the constitution right to hunt and fish supercedes property rights (if a hunter goes onto your property without your permission while hunting, can you ask them to leave or call police to have them escorted off?). With that said, that concern isn't enough for me not to vote Yes. Amendment 3 - Yes. Now to the big ones. It's the Libertarian in me, but I look at marijuana as no different than alcohol and it should be treated just like alcohol. I probably won't use it myself, but everyone 21 and up should have the choice. Amendment 4 - No. I'm not against abortion fully. I believe in first trimester abortion with second and third trimester abortions banned except for rape and health of the mother. The six week abortion ban goes too far, but this amendment goes too far the other way. Plus, despite the advertisements, there is nothing in the amendment that doesn't protect parental rights. I went back and forth, but I can't vote for it based on the way it's worded and that is allows abortion up until birth. Amendment 5 - Yes. The Homestead Exemption has been at the same level for years and doesn't mean as much now with inflation. With property taxes and HOA fees rising, it's the biggest thing we can do to prevent homeowners from being priced out of their homes, even if the home is paid off. Otherwise I worry native Floridians will continue to get priced out to corporations like BlackRock and people coming from the Northeast who have a ton of liquidity due to selling their homes up there. Amendment 6 - No. I believe in Campaign Finance laws and don't want them to be dominated by the big companies. Politicians are already bought off enough, no need for this amendment. How will you be voting for the amendments here in Florida?
#2 - Should be a hard “No”. The right to hunt/fish in Florida is already superseded by Federal law. #2 slyly grants the expansion of gill netting in Florida. This practice decimated some inshore species in FL, when previously allowed.
Amendment 2 seems like such a benign proposal that my mind immediately shifts to what poison pill is this hiding? I'm guessing it can be twisted by DeSantis' developer buddies to let them destroy habitats for more expensive condos somehow with unforetold legal chicanery.
Unless it is something that actually belongs in a constitution, I automatically vote no, even if I agree with it.
Exactly. We have a representative democracy. If the legislature wants us to do the hard parts of their job for them I expect to be paid.
LOL if you trust OUR legislature to do the right thing. Those assholes passed the 6 week abortion ban contrary to the wishes of a large majority of Floridians. Thank God we can amend our constitution this way. Without it, no stated right to privacy, no right to medical marijuana, no right to restoration of felons' voting rights and on and on and on.
Which is good. Something like amendment 3 and 4 should probably be secured in a constitution. These are rights issues. Some of the other nonsense they try to stick in is just lazy. Inflation adjustment for homestead exemption? That doesn't belong near the constitution.
That one, that passed, was as ridiculous as the legislature ignoring the amendment passed by 75% of Floridians.
As soon as gerrymandering and no safe seats become a thing again everywhere, I'll agree with this. Until then, this is the only way that people can fight back against monied interests directly.
I live in NC but I am working on forging a couple death certificates and obtaining the needed SS#'s to have my voice(s) heard in my former state as well.
almost being the operative word. sadly, our two party system gives us legislatures that do not do what the majority of the people want even if they were elected by the majority 3 and 4 are the only issues that should be on the ballot and I will vote yes on both and no on the rest.
