Simone Lawson
The Florida Constitution has been amended 146 times and outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights. Proposed amendments may be made by a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The Constitution Revision Commission and Taxation and Budget Reform Commission are unique to Florida, convening every 20 years, and amendments require a 60% supermajority vote for approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of state constitutions | 6 |
| Number of amendments to the current constitution | 146 |
| Number of amendments approved on November 5, 2024 | 2 |
| Number of mechanisms for amending the constitution | 5 |
| Minimum voter approval required for constitutional amendments | 60% |
| Number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | 8% of votes cast in the last presidential election |
| Minimum number of signatures required for placement on the 2026 General Election ballot | 880,062 |
| Frequency of Constitution Revision Commission convening | Every 20 years |
| Frequency of Taxation and Budget Reform Commission convening | Every 20 years |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Legislative joint resolution
The Florida Constitution can be amended through a legislative process, which involves a legislative joint resolution. This is one of the five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution. The other four are citizen-initiated, state constitutional convention, and commission-referral processes, with the latter involving referrals from the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
A legislative joint resolution is a proposal to amend the Florida Constitution that originates in the state legislature. It is a formal expression of the legislature's opinion or decision on a particular issue, and it requires the approval of both houses of the legislature. The process begins with the introduction of a joint resolution in either the Florida House of Representatives or the Senate. Once passed by a simple majority in one house, it can be amended in the other. After passage in both houses, the joint resolution is sent to the governor for approval. If the governor approves, the joint resolution becomes effective and the amendment is placed on the ballot for voter approval.
To be placed on the ballot, a constitutional amendment proposed by a legislative joint resolution requires a 60% vote during one legislative session, which amounts to a minimum of 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. This 60% threshold is also required for the amendment to pass and is stipulated in Article XI, Section 5(e) of the Florida Constitution.
The Florida Constitution, as revised in 1968, was proposed by three joint resolutions, which were adopted during a special session of June 24-July 3, 1968, and later ratified by voters on November 5, 1968. The House Joint Resolution 1-2X constituted the entire revised constitution, except for Articles V, VI, and VIII. The Senate Joint Resolution 4-2X proposed Article VI, relating to suffrage and elections, while the Senate Joint Resolution 5-2X proposed a new Article VIII, concerning local government.
The Amendments They Took Away
You may want to see also
Citizen-initiated process
The Florida Constitution provides five mechanisms for amending the state's constitution, one of which is the citizen-initiated process. This process is a type of ballot measure that allows citizens to directly propose and vote on constitutional amendments. Florida is one of eighteen states that allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
The citizen-initiated process in Florida requires proponents to obtain a certain number of signatures to get their initiative on the ballot. The number of signatures needed is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election, with signatures coming from at least half (14) of the state's 27 congressional districts. This means that proponents must gather support from a significant portion of the state's population to qualify for the ballot.
The initiative petition process, which is part of the citizen-initiated process, starts with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor. The petition sponsor can only sponsor one initiative petition per election cycle. The petition sponsor 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. Starting July 1, 2025, 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.
To get an initiative on the 2026 General Election ballot in Florida, an initiative petition must be signed by 880,062 voters. This number is based on the minimum number of registered Florida voters required to propose a constitutional amendment. The specific number of signatures required may vary for future elections, depending on voter turnout and other factors.
Amendment Impact: Voting Rights for 18-Year-Olds
You may want to see also
Commission-referral process
Florida has had six state constitutions. The current state 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 is the only state with commissions empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot.
The commission-referral process involves two commissions: the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC). The CRC is a 37-member commission provided for in the state constitution that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC convenes every 20 years, with its next meeting scheduled for 2037. The TBRC, created in 1988, also meets every 20 years and has the power to refer constitutional amendments related to taxation and the budgetary process.
To refer an amendment, at least 59.5% (22 out of 37) of commissioners must vote in favor of the proposed amendment. Commissioners are appointed by the governor, the president of the Florida Senate, the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Commissioners are prohibited from voting on issues that would result in a special gain or loss for themselves, their relatives, or their business associates.
The commission-referral process allows for an important pathway for the people of Florida to amend their constitution. It provides a means for direct democracy and citizen input in state governance, offering an alternative to the citizen initiative process, which has become more difficult and expensive due to recent legislative measures.
Constitution Amendments: States' Power to Ratify
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Petition circulators
Starting from July 1, 2025, petition circulators in Florida must complete an online training program before registering with the State. This training is designed to ensure that circulators understand the process, their role, and any applicable laws and requirements. Once registered, petition circulators are able to circulate petitions for more than one petition sponsor.
The role of a petition circulator is to gather signatures in support of a proposed amendment. In Florida, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is significant. Proponents must secure signatures from at least 8% of the district-wide vote in at least half (14) of the state's 27 congressional districts. This translates to hundreds of thousands of signatures, as evidenced by the requirement of 880,062 signatures for the 2026 General Election ballot.
To ensure the integrity of the process, Florida has implemented measures such as signature verification. Each Supervisor of Elections is responsible for setting and posting the cost of signature verification, which includes operating and personnel costs associated with comparing signatures. The petition sponsor is responsible for paying these costs in advance, unless an exception is made through an Affidavit of Undue Burden.
It is important to note that, at the time of writing, the citizenship and residency requirements for petition circulators are not in effect for certain petitions and individuals. Non-Florida residents, non-US citizens, members of the League of Women Voters Florida, and members of LULAC are among those who are exempt from these requirements.
Empowering Local Governments: India's 73rd Amendment Explained
You may want to see also
Voter approval
The Florida Constitution can be amended through a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, as well as through commission referrals from the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. All constitutional amendments in Florida require voter approval, with a 60% supermajority vote required for an amendment to be approved.
The citizen-initiated amendment process in Florida involves an initiative petition process that starts with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor. The petition sponsor can only sponsor one initiative petition per election cycle. In addition to other requirements, a proposed initiative must be signed by a minimum number of registered Florida voters to be placed on the ballot. For the 2026 General Election ballot, for example, an initiative petition must be signed by 880,062 voters. Starting July 1, 2025, 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 number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 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.
The legislative process for amending the Florida Constitution involves a 60% vote during one legislative session for the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments on the ballot must then be approved by 60% of voters to pass and do not require the governor's signature.
The Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission are unique to Florida, as it is the only state with commissions empowered to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. The Constitution Revision Commission convenes every 20 years, beginning in 1977, while the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission convenes every 20 years beginning in 2007.
The Amendment: Expanding Voting Rights for All
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Florida has five mechanisms for amending its 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. All amendments require at least 60% voter approval to pass.
The Constitution Revision Commission convenes every 20 years, beginning in 1977. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which also has the power to refer amendments, convenes every 20 years, beginning in 2007.
An initiated constitutional amendment requires signatures from 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.
Starting July 1, 2025, petition circulators must take and pass an online training program before registering with the State. They can then circulate petitions for more than one petition sponsor.
