Malcolm Rivera
Florida's constitution has been amended many times since its inception. The state has had six constitutions, adopted in 1812, 1838, 1861, 1868, 1885, and 1968. The current constitution, ratified in 1968, has been amended 146 times, with the most recent amendments approved by voters in November 2024. Florida's constitution can be amended through legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred processes, as well as through commission referrals. The state's unique commission-referral process empowers commissions to place amendments directly on the ballot for voter approval, with a 60% supermajority vote required for passage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times the Florida Constitution has been amended | 102 times since 1968, 146 times in total |
| Number of state constitutions | 6 |
| Current number of articles | 12 |
| Number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | Equal to 8% of votes cast in the last presidential election |
| Minimum number of votes required for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate |
| Percentage of votes required for voters to approve constitutional amendments | 60% supermajority vote |
| Percentage of votes required for amendments involving new state taxes or fees | Two-thirds approval of the voters |
| Percentage of votes required for a three-fourths majority in the Legislature to pass a law calling for a special election date on any amendment | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
- Florida's constitution has been amended 102 times since 1968
- Florida is the only state where commissions can place amendments directly on the ballot
- The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution
- Amendments must be approved by 60% of voters in a referendum
- The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years
Florida's constitution has been amended 102 times since 1968
Florida's constitution can be amended through five mechanisms: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, a state constitutional convention process, and a commission referral process with two commissions that can place amendments directly on the ballot. The two commissions are the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
Florida's Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years and can propose constitutional amendments on any subject. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meets every 20 years on a staggered timeline from the other commission, so one of the commissions meets every 10 years. This commission can only propose amendments related to tax and budget items.
Florida's constitution has been amended more than any other state's, with the exception of Texas, California, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina, which amend their constitutions more than three to four times per year on average. Florida's constitution has been amended about once every two years since 1968.
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Florida is the only state where commissions can place amendments directly on the ballot
The Florida Constitution has been amended 146 times. 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. Florida's constitution is unique in authorizing two separate commissions to place amendments on the ballot for voter approval.
Florida's Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years and can propose constitutional amendments on any subject. The Constitution Revision Commission can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is also empowered to refer constitutional amendments related to taxation and the state budget to the ballot. This commission meets every 20 years, on a staggered timeline from the other commission, so that one of the two commissions meets every 10 years. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission can only propose amendments dealing with tax and budget items.
The most recent meeting of one of these Florida commissions took place in 2017–2018, when the Constitution Revision Commission placed a number of amendments on the 2018 ballot. In 2006, voters passed an amendment requiring a 60% vote for voter approval of amendments. This 60% supermajority vote is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
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The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution
The Florida Constitution has been amended 146 times since its ratification in 1968. The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution. These include 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 directly to the ballot.
The citizen-initiated process allows citizens to propose constitutional amendments directly. Florida is one of eighteen states that allow this. To initiate the process, proponents must obtain signatures equal to 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.
The legislative process involves the Florida State Legislature placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This requires a 60% vote during one legislative session, amounting to a minimum of 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate. Amendments on the ballot must be approved by 60% of voters to pass and do not require the governor's signature.
The state constitutional convention process involves calling a convention through an initiative petition. Proponents must collect signatures equal to 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election. If a simple majority of voters approve, then there will be a convention.
The commission-referral process involves two commissions that have the power to refer amendments directly to the ballot for voter approval: the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years, beginning in 1977, and can propose constitutional amendments on any subject. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meets every 20 years, starting in 2007, on a staggered schedule with the other commission, so there is a commission meeting every 10 years. This commission can only propose amendments related to taxation and the state budget. Florida is the only state where commissions can place amendments directly on the ballot.
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Amendments must be approved by 60% of voters in a referendum
Florida has had six state constitutions, with the current constitution ratified in 1968. This constitution has been amended 146 times, with voters approving the two most recent amendments on November 5, 2024.
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. The two commissions with the power to refer amendments are the Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years and can propose constitutional amendments on any subject. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meets every 20 years on a staggered timeline from the other commission, so a commission meets every 10 years.
All amendments proposed, regardless of the method of proposal, must be approved by 60% of voters in a referendum held simultaneously with the next general election (that is, the next one at least 90 days after the amendment is filed with the custodian of state records). A 2006 amendment raised the required threshold to a supermajority (60%), up from a simple majority (50%) previously. Amendments involving the creation of "new state taxes or fees" require a two-thirds approval of voters. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Florida is unique in allowing constitutional commissions to submit amendments directly to voters. The Constitution Revision Commission placed several amendments on the 2018 ballot, which were approved by voters.
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The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years
Florida has had six state constitutions, with the current constitution being ratified in 1968. This constitution has been amended 146 times, with voters approving the two most recent amendments on November 5, 2024. The Florida Constitution can be amended through a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, as well as through commission referrals from two commissions: the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
The Constitution Revision Commission is one of the unique aspects of Florida's constitution, as it is empowered to place amendments directly on the ballot for voter approval. This commission meets every 20 years and can propose constitutional amendments on any subject. The most recent meeting of the Constitution Revision Commission took place in 2017–2018, when several amendments were placed on the 2018 ballot. The next review process is anticipated to be completed in 2038.
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. Florida is the only state where commissions can place amendments directly on the ballot. The Constitution Revision Commission is one of these commissions, and it plays a crucial role in proposing amendments that will shape the future of Florida.
The process of amending the Florida Constitution is designed to be accessible to citizens, with a focus on citizen-initiated amendments. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that requires signatures from at least 8% of the district-wide vote in at least half of the state's congressional districts. This process ensures that the citizens of Florida have a direct say in amending their constitution, making it a powerful tool for democracy.
In summary, the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years, is an essential component of Florida's constitution amendment process. By proposing amendments on a wide range of subjects, the commission plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Florida's governance and the rights of its citizens. The commission's work, along with other amendment processes, contributes to the dynamic nature of Florida's constitution, which has been amended numerous times to meet the evolving needs of the state and its people.
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Frequently asked questions
The Florida Constitution has been amended 102 times since 1968.
Florida's Constitution is amended more frequently than many other states. The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years and can propose amendments on any subject. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meets every 20 years on a staggered timeline from the other commission, so one of the two commissions meets every 10 years.
There are five mechanisms for amending the Florida 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 place amendments directly on the ballot.
All amendments proposed, regardless of the method, must be approved by 60% of voters in a referendum held during the next general election (or a special election called by a three-fourths majority in the Legislature). Amendments involving new state taxes or fees require a two-thirds approval of voters.
