Omar Bennett
Florida's constitution is a document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current constitution, ratified in 1968, has been amended 146 times and is reviewed every 20 years by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), with the next review scheduled for 2037. The CRC is a 37-member commission that convenes every two decades to propose changes to the constitution based on public input. Florida's constitution has been modified by initiative and referendum several times since its ratification, and all amendments require voter approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of review | Every 20 years |
| Year of first review | 1977 |
| Next scheduled review | 2027 |
| Number of members in the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission | 25 |
| Number of members selected by the governor | 11 |
| Number of members selected by the Speaker of the Florida House | 7 |
| Number of members selected by the Leader of the Florida Senate | 7 |
| Number of ex officio members | 4 |
| Number of amendments to the current constitution | 146 |
| Year of the current constitution's ratification | 1968 |
| Number of state constitutions | 6 |
| Number of amendments approved by voters in 2024 | 2 |
| Minimum percentage of votes required for an amendment to pass | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission
The Florida Constitution is a document that establishes and describes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida. It outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. Florida has had six constitutions, with the current one being ratified on November 5, 1968, and has been modified by initiative and referendum several times since.
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission that was established in 1968 to modernize the Florida Constitution. The CRC convenes every 20 years, beginning in 1977, and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC has convened four times, in 1977-78, 1997-98, 2017-18, and 2037. The CRC receives proposals from the public and hears about issues that matter to Floridians across the state. The proposals are then voted on by Floridians in a general election.
The CRC is an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution and have their voices heard in state governance. However, there have been criticisms of the CRC, particularly regarding the "bundling" of issues in the 2017-18 commission, which led to confusion and made it difficult for voters to agree or disagree with specific issues. There have also been concerns about the partisanship of the commission members and the inclusion of registered lobbyists.
In addition to the CRC, Florida also has the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which convenes every 20 years (in years ending in "7", with the next meeting scheduled for 2027). This commission is responsible for proposing amendments related to taxation and the state budget. Florida is the only state with commissions empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot.
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Meets every 20 years
The Florida Constitution is reviewed by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) every 20 years. The CRC is a 37-member commission that convenes every two decades, receiving proposals from the public and addressing issues that are important to Floridians. The CRC was established in 1968 to modernise the Florida Constitution, which had become increasingly difficult to update.
The CRC has convened four times since its inception: in 1977-78, 1997-98, 2017-18, and 2037. The proposals put forward by the CRC are not always passed initially, but many have been approved by Florida voters in subsequent years. For example, while none of the proposals from the 1977-78 CRC were initially passed, several were eventually approved by voters. In contrast, eight of the nine proposals from the 1997-98 CRC were passed by voters, and seven of the eight measures from the 2017-18 CRC were approved, with one blocked by the courts.
The CRC is an important mechanism for the people of Florida to have a say in amending their constitution. However, the 2017-18 CRC was criticised for engaging in "bundling", or combining unrelated issues into a single ballot measure, which can confuse voters and force them to vote yes or no on multiple issues bundled together. Despite these criticisms, the CRC remains a valuable tool for direct democracy and citizen input in state governance.
In addition to the CRC, Florida's constitution can also be amended through legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendments, as well as through commission referrals from the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which also meets every 20 years.
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Requires 60% voter approval
The Constitution of Florida is the document that establishes and describes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida. Florida has had six state constitutions, with the current one being ratified on November 5, 1968. The current constitution has been amended 146 times, with the most recent amendments being approved on November 5, 2024.
The Florida Constitution can be amended through legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendments, as well as through commission referrals from the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The CRC is a 37-member commission that convenes every 20 years, with its next meeting scheduled for 2037. It receives proposals from the public and hears about issues that matter to Floridians across the state, proposing changes to the Florida Constitution. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission also meets every 20 years (in years ending in "7"), with its next scheduled meeting in 2027.
To amend the Florida Constitution, 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. This requirement was raised from a simple majority (more than 50%) to a supermajority (60%) in 2006. Amendments on the ballot must be approved by 60% of voters to pass. This applies to both legislative and convention-referred constitutional amendments.
Proponents of an amendment must obtain signatures equaling 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 is in addition to the requirement for 60% voter approval during one legislative session for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments involving the creation of "new state taxes or fees" require a two-thirds approval of the voters, which is a higher threshold than the standard 60% requirement.
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Citizen initiative process
The Florida Constitution can be amended with a citizen-initiated process. This process involves proponents collecting signatures equal to 15% of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election. Alternatively, 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 the signatures are obtained, a constitutional convention can be called through an initiative petition. This requires simple majority approval of a voter initiative asking for a convention. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) then convenes every 20 years to review and propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC is a 37-member commission that receives proposals from the public and hears about issues that matter to Floridians across the state.
The CRC has faced criticism for engaging in "bundling", or combining unrelated issues into a single ballot measure, which can confuse voters and force them to vote yes or no on all the issues in the measure. Despite these issues, the CRC provides an important pathway for citizens to amend their constitution and have their voices heard in state governance.
After the CRC proposes changes, all constitutional amendments in Florida must be approved by 60% of voters in a referendum held simultaneously with the next general election. This 60% requirement was raised from a simple majority in 2006. Amendments involving new state taxes or fees require a two-thirds approval of voters.
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Amendments and revisions
The Florida Constitution, which establishes the powers, duties, structure, and function of the government of the state of Florida, has been amended 146 times. The current constitution has 12 articles, and it was ratified on November 5, 1968. Florida has had six different constitutions since it became a state on March 3, 1845.
The Florida Constitution can be amended through legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendments, as well as through commission referrals from the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The CRC, a 37-member commission, convenes every 20 years to receive proposals from the public and propose changes to the Florida Constitution. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, on the other hand, meets every 20 years (in years ending in "7") and is composed of 25 members, 11 of whom are selected by the governor.
All constitutional amendments in Florida require voter approval. Before an amendment becomes part of the Constitution, it must be approved by 60% of voters in a referendum held during the next general election (at least 90 days after the amendment is filed). This 60% requirement was introduced by an amendment in 2006, which replaced the previous simple majority requirement. Amendments related to "new State taxes or fees" require a two-thirds approval of the voters.
The Constitution Revision Commission can also refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. According to Article XI of the Florida Constitution, amendments and revisions can be proposed through a joint resolution agreed to by three-fifths of the members of each house of the legislature.
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Frequently asked questions
The Florida Constitution is reviewed every 20 years.
The Florida Constitution is reviewed by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), a 37-member commission that receives proposals from the public and hears about issues that matter to Floridians across the state.
The Florida Constitution was last reviewed in 2017-18. The next review is scheduled for 2037.
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