Eleanor Finch
Florida's constitution has seen several amendments over the years, with six proposed amendments on the ballot in the 2024 election cycle. For a constitutional amendment to pass in Florida, it requires a supermajority of 60% of the votes. This is true whether the amendment is proposed by a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of votes required to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida | 60% |
| Number of voters in Florida in 2024 | 13,845,913 |
| Number of voters who voted early or by mail in 2024 | 8.3 million |
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What You'll Learn
Florida Amendment 3 failed to pass
In 2024, Florida Amendment 3 failed to pass, as it did not receive the required 60% supermajority approval from voters. The amendment, which sought to legalise recreational marijuana use for adults aged 21 and older, was rejected by Florida voters. This decision blocked the way for recreational marijuana use in the state, maintaining the status quo despite a strong majority of Floridians voting in support of legalisation.
Amendment 3 was one of six proposed amendments that Florida voters considered in the 2024 election. It proposed allowing adults aged 21 and over to possess, purchase, and use marijuana for personal, non-medical reasons. The amendment also would have authorised state-licensed businesses to cultivate, process, and distribute marijuana.
Supporters of Amendment 3 argued that legalising recreational marijuana would curb the black market and ensure the safety and regulation of marijuana products. They also suggested that decriminalisation could free up law enforcement resources and reduce non-violent drug offences. However, opponents warned that legalisation could lead to increased unregulated drug use, negatively impact road safety, and have adverse effects on Florida's youth.
The outcome of the vote on Amendment 3 was heavily influenced by the opposition of Governor Ron DeSantis' administration, which spent millions of dollars on ads opposing the measure and engaging in legal battles to remove it from the ballot. DeSantis also used taxpayer funds to pay for public service announcements attacking Amendment 3 and threatened legal repercussions for media outlets airing pro-Amendment advertisements.
Despite the substantial support for Amendment 3, with polls indicating 60% of voters in favour, the amendment ultimately fell short of the required supermajority for passage. This failure highlights the challenges faced by proponents of marijuana legalisation in Florida and underscores the enduring controversy surrounding this issue in the state.
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Florida Amendment 4 failed to pass
In 2024, Florida Amendment 4 failed to pass, falling short of the required number of votes. To pass a constitutional amendment in Florida, a supermajority of 60% of the vote is necessary. While Amendment 4 enjoyed significant support, it ultimately did not attain the requisite supermajority.
Amendment 4 pertained to abortion rights in the state of Florida. Specifically, it aimed to limit government interference in abortion by prohibiting laws that restrict abortion before foetal viability or when necessary to safeguard the patient's health, as determined by their healthcare provider. This would have effectively overturned the Heartbeat Protection Act, which bans elective abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions up to 15 weeks in cases of rape or incest.
Prior to the vote, polls indicated that Amendment 4 was favoured by a majority of Florida voters. A poll conducted by the Florida Atlantic University Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab (PolCom Lab) and Mainstreet Research USA found that 58% of voters supported the amendment, with 32% opposed and 10% undecided. However, despite this initial show of support, the amendment was unable to secure the required 60% threshold on the day of the vote.
The failure of Amendment 4 to pass has been attributed to various factors. Some have criticised Governor DeSantis for his opposition to the amendment, including his use of taxpayer funds to finance public service announcements against it and his threats towards television stations airing pro-Amendment 4 advertisements. Others have suggested that voters' decisions were influenced by concerns over teenage girls requiring parental consent for abortion procedures and the protection of unborn babies.
The outcome of the vote on Amendment 4 highlights the complexities surrounding abortion rights in Florida and the ongoing debate between those seeking to expand access to abortion and those wishing to maintain or impose restrictions. While supporters of expanded abortion rights see the failure of Amendment 4 as a setback, they remain resolute in their commitment to fighting government interference and advocating for abortion access in the state.
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Florida Amendment 2 passed
Florida Amendment 2, also known as the Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment, was passed by Florida voters and added to the state's constitution. The amendment guarantees the right to hunt and fish, positioning these activities as the preferred means of managing and controlling fish and wildlife populations.
Supporters of the amendment argued that it protected Florida's traditions, conservation practices, outdoor lifestyle, and economic opportunities associated with hunting and fishing. The activities bring in over $15 billion annually, and Amendment 2 was seen as a way to prevent potential bans and restrictions on these practices.
However, critics of the amendment claimed that it was unnecessary and politically motivated. They argued that hunting and fishing were not under threat in Florida and that the amendment's vague language could lead to conflicts, confusion, and harm to wildlife populations.
To pass a constitutional amendment in Florida, a proposed amendment must receive at least 60% approval from voters, according to the Florida Constitution, Article XI, Section 5(e). The specific number of votes required can vary, as it is based on voter turnout for that particular election.
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Florida Amendment 6 failed to pass
Florida Amendment 6, also known as the Repeal of Public Financing for Statewide Campaigns Amendment, was defeated and failed to pass. The amendment was on the ballot in Florida as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2024.
The amendment needed at least 60% of the votes to pass, in accordance with Florida law. However, it only received 52.49% of the vote in favour. This was not enough to meet the supermajority requirement, and so the amendment did not pass.
The amendment would have repealed Section 7 of Article VI of the Florida Constitution, which provides for public campaign financing for statewide candidates who agree to spending limits. This includes candidates for the offices of governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and commissioner of agriculture.
Supporters of the amendment argued that it would be bad for the integrity of elections and public policy. They believed that repealing public financing would give corporations and wealthy individuals more influence over elections and favour candidates who rely on large campaign donations. Opponents of the amendment argued that it would reduce the influence of big-money politics and provide voters with a broader slate of candidates to choose from.
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60% supermajority vote required to pass
Florida's constitution mandates that a supermajority of 60% of votes is required for a constitutional amendment to pass. This is a high bar to clear, and amendments that are favored by a majority of voters may still fail to pass. For example, in 2024, Florida Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 failed to get enough votes to pass, even though they were favored by a majority of voters. Amendment 3, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, and Amendment 4, which aimed to protect abortion rights, fell short of the required 60% supermajority.
The high threshold for passing constitutional amendments in Florida is a significant feature of the state's law-making process. This supermajority requirement ensures that any changes to the state's foundational document reflect the broad support and consensus of the electorate. It also helps maintain stability and continuity in the state's legal framework by preventing hasty or divisive changes to the constitution.
The process of proposing and passing constitutional amendments in Florida can occur through several avenues. Legislative joint resolutions, initiative petitions, or proposals from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission are all valid methods. Regardless of the method, the requirement for passage remains the same: a supermajority of 60% of votes.
Initiative petitions, a popular method for proposing constitutional amendments, involve a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor. To get an initiative on the ballot, petitions must be signed by a minimum number of registered Florida voters. For example, for the 2026 General Election ballot, an initiative petition must be signed by 880,062 voters. This step ensures that any proposed amendment has a significant level of voter support before being placed before the entire electorate.
The 60% supermajority vote requirement for passing constitutional amendments in Florida is a critical aspect of the state's law-making process. It ensures that amendments have broad support, helps maintain stability, and encourages thoughtful consideration of any changes to the constitution. By setting a high bar for passage, Florida's constitution remains a robust and widely accepted framework for governing the state.
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Frequently asked questions
A 60% supermajority of votes is required for a constitutional amendment to pass in Florida.
The proposed constitutional amendments in Florida can originate from the Florida Legislature or citizen initiatives.
For a legislatively-referred proposed amendment in Florida, 60% of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate must agree to put it on the ballot.
Florida Amendment 3, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, failed to receive the required 60% of votes to pass.
Proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution can be made through a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
