How Are You Voting on Florida Amendments 2024?

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?