Omar Bennett
The Florida Constitution can be amended through various methods, including legislative processes, citizen-initiated processes, and commission referrals. Florida has had six state constitutions, and the current constitution has been amended 146 times. Amendments can be proposed by a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from constitutional or taxation and budget reform commissions. Citizen-initiated amendments require signatures from a minimum number of registered Florida voters, with the specific number varying by amendment type and election cycle. Legislative amendments require a 60% supermajority vote for approval, while all amendments must be approved by voters. The Constitution Revision Commission and Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which convene every 20 years, also play a role in the amendment process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ways to amend the constitution | 5 |
| Legislative process | Requires 60% supermajority vote for approval |
| Citizen-initiated process | Requires 8% of signatures from the last presidential election |
| State constitutional convention process | Requires 15% of signatures from the last presidential election |
| Commission-referral process | Requires approval from the Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission |
| Number of state constitutions | 6 |
| Number of amendments to the current constitution | 146 |
| Voter approval required | Yes |
| Petition sponsor requirements | Must pay the Supervisor of Elections before signed petitions are verified |
| Petition circulator requirements | Must complete an online training program and register with the State |
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What You'll Learn
Legislative joint resolution
The Florida Constitution can be amended through a legislative joint resolution, which is one of the five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution. The other four methods are citizen-initiated, state constitutional convention, and commission-referral processes.
The legislative joint resolution process involves the Florida State Legislature proposing a constitutional amendment through a joint resolution. This requires a 60% vote during one legislative session, which equates to a minimum of 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate. It is important to note that amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. Once on the ballot, amendments must be approved by at least 60% of voters to pass. This 60% supermajority requirement was adopted in 2006 as the Florida Broader Public Support for Constitutional Amendments or Revisions Amendment.
The legislative joint resolution process is just one way to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution. Other methods include initiative petitions, which start with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor, or proposals from commissions such as the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The Constitution Revision Commission and Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meet every 20 years and have the power to refer amendments to the ballot.
The Florida Constitution has been amended 146 times, with voters most recently approving two new amendments on November 5, 2024. The process of amending the Florida Constitution is outlined in Article XI of the Florida Constitution, which also specifies the requirements for voter approval and the effective date of approved amendments.
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Initiative petition
The Florida Constitution can be amended through an initiative petition, which is a citizen-initiated ballot measure. This process starts with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor. The sponsor can only support one initiative petition per election cycle and must pay the Supervisor of Elections before signed petitions can be verified. The petition circulators must also complete an online training program before registering with the state.
To get an initiative petition on the ballot, a minimum number of registered Florida voters must sign the petition. For the 2026 General Election ballot, an initiative petition must be signed by 880,062 voters. This number is based on 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election, which must be obtained from at least half (14) of Florida's 27 congressional districts. The signatures must be verified by February 1 of the election year, and the petition must also receive approval from the Supreme Court by April 1.
An example of an initiative petition is Amendment 3, titled "Adult Personal Use of Marijuana." This amendment was on the ballot in November 2024 and would have legalized the possession, purchase, and use of small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 years and older under Florida law. The ACLU of Florida supported this amendment, arguing that it would help ensure that state resources and taxpayer dollars are spent on improving the lives of Floridians.
Another example of an initiative petition is the Right to Clean and Healthy Waters, proposed by FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org. This petition aims to guarantee Floridians' access to clean and healthy waters, demonstrating how initiative petitions can be used to address a range of issues beyond just legislation and governance.
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Constitution Revision Commission
The Florida Constitution can be amended in several ways, including through the legislative process, citizen-initiated process, state constitutional convention process, and commission-referral process. The commission-referral process involves the Constitution Revision Commission, which has the power to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. This commission convenes every 20 years, with its first meeting taking place in 1977.
The Constitution Revision Commission is one of two commissions in Florida that can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot, the other being the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. These commissions empower citizens to have a direct say in the amendment process, making Florida unique among the states.
The Constitution Revision Commission plays an important role in ensuring that the Florida Constitution remains responsive to the needs and desires of the state's citizens. By convening every two decades, the commission provides a periodic opportunity for Floridians to propose and consider changes to their constitution. This process allows for a comprehensive review of the constitution and enables amendments that reflect the evolving values and priorities of the state's residents.
To get an amendment proposal on the ballot through the Constitution Revision Commission, there are specific steps and requirements that must be followed. The commission itself proposes amendments, which then require at least 60% voter approval to pass. This high threshold ensures that any changes to the constitution are supported by a significant majority of Floridians.
The Constitution Revision Commission provides a mechanism for direct citizen involvement in the amendment process. By empowering citizens to propose and vote on amendments, Florida's constitution can better reflect the will of the people. This process underscores the importance of civic engagement and ensures that the state's governing document remains a living, adaptable framework that can change as Florida and its citizens do.
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Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
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. Florida is the only state with commissions empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is one of the two commissions that have the power to refer amendments to the Florida Constitution. The other commission is the Florida Constitution Revision Commission.
The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission convenes every 20 years, beginning in 2007. It is empowered to refer constitutional amendments related to taxation and the state budget to the ballot. The commission referral process is one of the ways to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution, along with legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission.
An initiative petition starts with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor. The petition sponsor can only sponsor one initiative petition per election cycle. Petition circulators must take and pass an online training program before registering with the State. Once registered, they can circulate petitions for more than one petition sponsor. Petition sponsors must pay the Supervisor of Elections in advance before signed petitions can be verified unless an Affidavit of Undue Burden has been filed with the county.
To be placed on the ballot, petitions must be signed by a minimum number of registered Florida voters. For the 2026 General Election ballot, an initiative petition must be signed by 880,062 voters. In addition, petitions require 766,200 verified signatures from one-half (14) of the number of congressional districts (27) in Florida. All signatures must be verified by February 1 of the election year. The petition must also have approval from the Supreme Court by April 1 of the election year.
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Citizen-initiated process
Florida has had six state constitutions, and the current constitution has been amended 146 times. The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution, including the citizen-initiated process. This process involves an initiated constitutional amendment, which is a citizen-initiated ballot measure. Citizens can propose amendments to the Florida Constitution through an initiative petition process, which 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 initiative 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. This equates to 76,632 verified signatures from voters residing in at least 7 congressional districts, according to one source. Another source states that 880,062 voters' signatures are required for placement on the 2026 General Election ballot. Petition circulators must take and pass an online training program before registering with the State. Once registered, they can circulate petitions for more than one petition sponsor. The petition sponsor must pay the Supervisor of Elections before signed petitions can be verified, unless an Affidavit of Undue Burden has been filed with the county.
The citizen-initiated process has been used to propose amendments such as Amendment 3, "Adult Personal Use of Marijuana," which would legalise the possession, purchase, or use of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use by adults over 21. This amendment was on the ballot in November 2024 and required 60% of voters to vote "Yes" to pass.
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