Jonah Patel
The Florida Constitution, which was first adopted in 1968, is still a work in progress. Amendments can be proposed by citizens or lawmakers, and put on the ballot for voting. For the 2026 General Election ballot, a petition must be signed by 880,062 voters, with signatures from half of the state's congressional districts. The Florida Supreme Court reviews proposed amendments to ensure their language is clear and not misleading. The legislative process involves legislators proposing bills, which, if passed by both houses and approved by the Governor, become law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can propose legislation? | Both citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments. |
| What is required to propose legislation? | A petition must be signed by 880,062 voters and have signatures from electors in each of half of the congressional districts of the state, equal to 8% of votes cast in each district in the last election with presidential electors. |
| What happens after a proposal is made? | The proposal goes to the Florida Supreme Court for review. Justices decide if the proposed amendment's language adheres to a single subject and isn't misleading. |
| What is the approval threshold? | Constitutional amendments require 60% approval. |
| What happens after approval? | Legislators propose bills, which, if passed by both houses and approved by the Governor, become law. |
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What You'll Learn
Ballot measures
In Florida, both citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments through ballot measures. The Florida Constitution was adopted in 1968, but it is still a work in progress, with Floridians voting to modify the state's governing charter in almost every election cycle since.
The legislative and citizens' initiative methods can achieve the same result: a new law. Citizens' initiatives, however, face a number of challenges. Proposed amendments must be reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court, which decides if the language adheres to a single subject and is not misleading. This has proven difficult for some groups. There is also a 60% approval threshold for constitutional amendments, higher than in most states.
During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers are attempting to create more ballot measures while making it harder for citizens to do the same. For example, a proposal to reinforce the integrity of the citizens' initiative petition process includes eliminating third-party collection of petition forms and implementing the same verification measures used for voting.
To get a proposed amendment by initiative on the 2026 General Election ballot, a petition must be signed by 880,062 voters. Signatures must come from electors in each of half of the congressional districts of the state and of the state as a whole, equal to eight per cent of votes cast in each district and the state in the previous election in which presidential electors were chosen.
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Citizen initiatives
The Florida Constitution, which was first adopted in 1968, is still being modified and updated. Both citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments, and these can be put on the ballot for voting. The legislative and citizens' initiative methods can achieve the same result: a new law.
Citizens can propose legislation in Florida through the citizens' initiative petition process. This process involves collecting signatures from registered voters in the state who support the proposed amendment. The number of signatures required depends on the total votes cast in the previous election for presidential electors. For example, for the 2026 General Election ballot, a petition must be signed by 880,062 voters, with signatures from a number of electors in each of half of the congressional districts of the state. The signatures must equal eight percent of the votes cast in each of these districts and in the state as a whole.
Once the required number of signatures is collected, the proposed amendment is submitted to the Florida Supreme Court for review. The Court decides if the amendment's language adheres to a single subject and is not misleading. If the Court approves the amendment, it will be placed on the ballot for the next election.
In recent years, there have been attempts by lawmakers to make it harder for citizens to propose constitutional amendments. However, citizens in Florida have successfully approved several changes that state leaders either disliked or ignored, such as expanding marijuana and abortion access.
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Legislative process
The Florida Constitution grants exclusive lawmaking power to the Legislative Branch. In this context, the process of lawmaking involves legislators proposing bills, which, if passed by both houses and approved by the Governor, become law.
Citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments, which are placed on the ballot. The Florida Supreme Court reviews these proposals to ensure they adhere to a single subject and are not misleading. If approved by 60% of voters, they become constitutional amendments.
For example, during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, lawmakers proposed several constitutional amendments, including those related to combatting illegal immigration, condominium regulation, and agricultural relief in response to natural disasters. To get a proposed amendment on the 2026 General Election ballot, a petition must be signed by 880,062 voters, with signatures from a significant number of electors in each of half of the state's congressional districts.
The citizens' initiative petition process is a key mechanism for Floridians to propose legislation directly. However, lawmakers have simultaneously tried to increase the number of ballot measures while making it more difficult for citizens to do so. This has involved suggestions to reinforce the integrity of the petition process, such as eliminating third-party collection of petition forms and implementing stricter verification measures.
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Petition requirements
The Florida Constitution establishes the powers and duties of the Florida Senate, including the exclusive lawmaking power of the Legislative Branch. Legislators propose bills which, if passed favorably by both houses and approved by the Governor, become law.
To get a proposed amendment by initiative on the 2026 General Election ballot, a petition must meet specific requirements. Firstly, it must be signed by 880,062 voters. Secondly, the signatures must include a certain proportion of electors from each of half of the state's congressional districts and the state as a whole. Specifically, the number of signatures from each district and the state must equal eight percent of the votes cast in the last preceding election in which presidential electors were chosen. These signature requirements can be found on the website of the Florida Department of State under "Signature requirements by congressional districts."
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Amendment approval
The Florida Constitution, which was first adopted in 1968, is still a living document that is open to amendment. Both citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments, which can be placed on the ballot for approval. The process for citizens to initiate amendments is currently the subject of legislative proposals to strengthen its integrity. One such proposal is to eliminate third-party collection of petition forms and implement the same verification measures used for voting. Electors would be able to submit petition forms directly to Supervisors of Elections either in person or by mail.
For the 2026 General Election ballot, a petition must be signed by 880,062 voters, with signatures from electors in at least half of the state's congressional districts and the state as a whole, amounting to 8% of votes cast in the previous election with presidential electors. This process is known as the citizens' initiative.
The legislative process for proposing amendments is more straightforward, as lawmakers can directly put forward measures to be placed on the ballot. However, it is worth noting that lawmakers are sometimes criticised for attempting to increase the number of ballot measures while making it more difficult for citizens to do the same.
Once an amendment is proposed and placed on the ballot, it must meet the approval threshold to be passed. In Florida, constitutional amendments require the approval of 60% of voters, a higher threshold than most other states. This threshold was raised from a simple majority by a legislatively placed amendment approved by voters in 2006. The Florida Supreme Court also reviews proposed amendments to ensure their language adheres to a single subject and is not misleading.
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Frequently asked questions
Both citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments.
The process for proposing legislation can vary. One way is through the citizens' initiative petition process, which involves collecting signatures from voters and submitting petitions to the Supervisors of Elections. Proposed amendments must then be reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court to ensure they adhere to a single subject and are not misleading. Ultimately, the amendment must receive 60% approval to pass.
For the 2026 General Election ballot, a citizen-initiated petition must be signed by 880,062 voters, with signatures coming from half of the congressional districts in the state.
If a proposed amendment passes with 60% approval, it becomes part of the Florida Constitution, which is the supreme law of the state.
