Omar Bennett
Florida has had six constitutions since it became a US state in 1845, with the current version being ratified in 1968. The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, a state constitutional convention process, and a commission-referral process with two commissions that can refer amendments. All amendments require a 60% supermajority vote for approval. Amendments can be proposed by a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. Florida's constitution has been amended 144 times, most recently in 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ways to amend the constitution | 5 |
| Ways to amend the constitution | Legislative process, citizen-initiated process, state constitutional convention process, commission-referral process, and joint resolution |
| Minimum voter approval for amendments | 60% |
| Number of constitutions since statehood | 6 |
| Current constitution | Ratified in 1968 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Florida Constitution Revision Commission
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is unique to Florida, as it is the only state with a commission empowered to refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The commission must convene every 20 years, with meetings scheduled for 1977, 1997, 2017, 2037, and so on.
The CRC is composed of 37 commissioners, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor of Florida, including the commission chair. Nine commissioners are appointed by the President of the Florida Senate, nine by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General of Florida automatically serves as the 37th member of the CRC.
The CRC holds public hearings to gather ideas and feedback from Floridians and considers proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the public. After the proposals are approved by the CRC, they are placed directly on the General Election ballot for voter approval. Florida requires a supermajority vote of at least 60% for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
The CRC has the power to make significant decisions on topics such as gambling, education, redistricting, and the courts, which can have long-lasting impacts on Florida's families and businesses. For example, in 2018, the CRC referred eight constitutional amendments to the ballot, seven of which were approved by the voters.
In summary, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission plays a crucial role in reviewing and proposing changes to the state's constitution. By convening every 20 years and holding public hearings, the CRC ensures that the Florida Constitution remains relevant and applicable to the current and future needs of the state. The commission's proposals are then placed on the ballot for voter approval, allowing Floridians to have a direct say in amending their constitution.
Amending the Constitution: 20th-Century Adjustments to American Democracy
You may want to see also
Citizen-initiated amendments
Florida's Constitution can be amended through a citizen-initiated process, which is one of five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution. The other four methods are the legislative process, the state constitutional convention process, the commission-referral process, and convention-referred constitutional amendments. Citizen-initiated amendments are a type of ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Florida is one of 18 states that allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
The process for a citizen-initiated amendment starts with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor. The petition sponsor can only sponsor one initiative petition per election cycle. To get a proposed amendment on the ballot, petitions must be signed by a minimum number of registered Florida voters. The number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election. Proponents must obtain signatures equalling at least 8% of the district-wide vote in the most recent presidential election in at least half (14) of the state's 27 congressional districts.
Once an amendment is on the ballot, it must be approved by at least 60% of voters to pass. This is a supermajority vote requirement, which is common for constitutional amendments in the United States. Florida also has requirements for the content of proposed amendments. For example, each of the proposed amendments must concern only a single subject.
Florida's Constitution has been amended 144 times, most recently in 2020. The state's current constitution was ratified in 1968 and has been modified by initiative and referendum several times since. Florida also has the greatest number of ways to amend its constitution of any other state.
The Fourth Amendment: A Historic Addition to the Constitution
You may want to see also
Legislative process
Florida's Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution, one of which is the legislative process. The legislative process for amending Florida's Constitution involves a proposal by the Florida Legislature through a joint resolution. This requires a 60% vote during one legislative session, which amounts to a minimum of 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. This process is also known as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. Amendments that are proposed through this legislative process do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The legislative process is one of the ways to propose an amendment, and it is initiated by the Florida Legislature. This is in contrast to the citizen-initiated process, which starts with citizens proposing an amendment through an initiative petition. The initiative petition process requires a minimum number of signatures from registered Florida voters and can only be sponsored by one registered political committee per election cycle.
The legislative process for amending Florida's Constitution involves the Florida Legislature, which consists of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate. A joint resolution is proposed by the Legislature, requiring a supermajority vote of 60% for the amendment to be placed on the ballot. This joint resolution process is a collaborative effort between the two houses of the Florida Legislature, demonstrating the importance of consensus and broad support for proposed amendments to the state's constitution.
The Florida Legislature plays a crucial role in the legislative process of amending the state's constitution. By requiring a supermajority vote, the process ensures that any changes to Florida's fundamental framework for governance are carefully considered and broadly supported by the elected representatives of the state. This legislative process is one of the ways that Florida's Constitution can be amended, reflecting the state's commitment to a robust and democratic process for constitutional reform.
Federal Reserve Act: Constitutional or Amendment?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Commission-referral process
Florida has had six constitutions since it became a state in 1845. The current constitution, which was ratified in 1968, has been amended 144 times, most recently in 2020. Florida's constitution can be amended through a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, as well as through commission referrals from the Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
The commission-referral process is one of five mechanisms for amending the Florida Constitution. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission have the power to refer amendments to the ballot. This process allows for amendments to be proposed by a commission of experts and professionals, rather than through the legislative or citizen-initiated processes.
The Constitution Revision Commission is composed of 37 members, including the Attorney General, the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, the President of the Florida Senate, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and 33 other members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is composed of 11 members, including the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and eight other members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.
Both commissions are tasked with reviewing the Florida Constitution and proposing amendments. The Constitution Revision Commission operates on a periodic schedule, typically reviewing the constitution every 20 years, while the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission operates on a set schedule, reviewing the constitution every 20 years specifically to consider amendments related to taxation and budget reform.
The commission-referral process allows for a comprehensive and expert-driven approach to amending the Florida Constitution. By involving commissions with diverse expertise and perspectives, this process contributes to the state's unique constitutional history and provides a balanced approach to governance.
Presidential Power: Vetoing Proposed Amendments
You may want to see also
Voter approval
Florida's Constitution, which was ratified in 1968, has been amended 144 times, most recently in 2020. The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, a state constitutional convention process, and a commission-referral process with two commissions that have the power to refer amendments. All constitutional amendments in Florida require voter approval.
A citizen-initiated amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments. In Florida, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election. Proponents must obtain signatures equaling at least 8% of the district-wide vote in the last presidential election in at least half (14) of the state's 27 congressional districts.
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments require 60% of votes during one legislative session for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
Amendments on the ballot must be approved by at least 60% of voters to pass. This is a supermajority vote. For a legislatively-referred proposed amendment, 60% of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate must agree to put the proposed amendment on the ballot. This is called a joint resolution.
A constitutional convention can also be called through an initiative petition. Proponents must collect signatures equal to 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election.
The 13th Amendment: Abolishing a Horrific Practice
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution require at least 60% approval from voters to be ratified.
There are five mechanisms for amending the Florida Constitution: citizen-initiated, legislative, state constitutional convention, and commission-referral processes.
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission can propose amendments to the Florida Constitution.
