Eleanor Finch
Florida allows citizens to initiate constitutional amendments, which can be proposed by a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. For the 2024 election cycle, there are six amendments on the ballot for consideration, and voters will have the opportunity to vote 'Yes' or 'No' on these proposed amendments. Each proposed amendment requires at least 60% approval from voters to pass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of proposed constitutional amendments in 2024 | 6 |
| Voting options | Yes or No |
| Voting methods | Mail, early in person, or on Election Day |
| Minimum approval required for an amendment to pass | 60% |
| Minimum approval required for an amendment to be repealed | 60% |
| Number of signatures required for an amendment to qualify for the ballot | Equal to 8% of votes cast in the preceding presidential election (880,062 signatures for the 2026 election) |
| Who can propose an amendment? | Legislative joint resolution, initiative petition, Constitution Revision Commission, or Taxation and Budget Reform Commission |
| Who can sponsor a petition? | Registered political committee |
| Number of statewide measures approved by voters between 2000 and 2020 | 56 (71.79%) |
| Number of statewide measures defeated by voters between 2000 and 2020 | 22 (28.21%) |
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What You'll Learn
Florida's 60% approval rule for constitutional amendments
Florida has one of the highest thresholds for passing constitutional amendments in the nation, with a 60% voter approval requirement. This rule was implemented by Florida voters in 2006 through a state constitutional amendment, Amendment 3. The rationale behind this amendment was to protect the Florida Constitution from superfluous additions. An example of such an addition is the 2002 ballot measure that made it illegal to confine or tether a pregnant pig, which became a symbol for the "up the threshold" movement.
The 60% approval rule has had a significant impact on the outcome of ballot initiatives, even those with strong support. For instance, the constitutional amendments on recreational cannabis and abortion rights received 56% and 57% of the vote, respectively, in 2024, but failed to become law due to not meeting the 60% threshold. This has sparked a debate between proponents and opponents of the rule. Supporters of the higher threshold argue that it safeguards the state's constitution from unnecessary changes and protects against special interests with significant financial resources. On the other hand, critics contend that it undermines direct democracy and impedes the electorate's ability to bypass an uncooperative Legislature.
The process of proposing constitutional amendments in Florida can be initiated through a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The initiative petition process begins with a registered political committee acting as the petition sponsor, who can only sponsor one initiative per election cycle. To be placed on the ballot, petitions must meet the required number of signatures from registered Florida voters. For the 2026 General Election ballot, an initiative petition must be signed by 880,062 voters.
While Florida's 60% approval rule for constitutional amendments aims to preserve the integrity of the state's constitution, it has also drawn criticism for potentially hindering progressive movements and making it challenging to enact meaningful change. The state's lawmakers have also been accused of further eroding the constitutional amendment process by increasing the cost of verifying petition signatures and reducing the timeline for collecting them. These factors collectively make it more difficult for initiatives to succeed, even with substantial public support.
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How to propose an amendment
Florida has multiple avenues through which citizens and lawmakers can propose constitutional amendments. These proposals can be made via a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. Each method for proposing constitutional amendments has different requirements before an amendment can be added to the ballot.
For a legislatively-referred proposed amendment, 60% of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate must agree to put the proposed amendment on the ballot. This is called a joint resolution.
Citizens can also propose amendments through an initiative petition. This process starts with a registered political committee, who acts as the petition sponsor. The petition sponsor can only sponsor one initiative petition per election cycle. In addition to other requirements, getting a proposed initiative on the ballot requires petitions to 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.
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which are meant to make constitutional amendments, can also propose amendments. Amendments that would raise or create new taxes and fees would need to be approved by at least two-thirds of Florida voters.
Proposed amendments are required to be clear and straightforward, adhering to a single subject and not being misleading. After a proposal is made, it goes to the Florida Supreme Court for review, where justices decide if the amendment's language meets these requirements.
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Voting methods
Floridians can vote for constitutional amendments by mail, in person before Election Day, or on Election Day in person. In the 2024 election, Floridians will vote on six proposed constitutional amendments in addition to voting for candidates.
Constitutional amendments can be proposed by a legislative joint resolution, an initiative petition, or a proposal from the Constitution Revision Commission or the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. For a legislatively-referred proposed amendment, 60% of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate must agree to put the proposal on the ballot. Citizen-initiated amendments require a total number of signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast in the preceding presidential election.
To pass, a constitutional amendment requires at least 60% approval from voters. This 60% supermajority requirement was raised from a simple majority in 2006. Repealing an amendment that has passed would require a new ballot initiative garnering 60% of the vote in a subsequent election.
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2024 Amendments
Florida voters will have the opportunity to vote on six proposed amendments to the state's constitution in November 2024. These amendments are proposed changes to the Florida Constitution that, if approved by at least 60% of voters, will become law.
- Amendment 1: A legislatively proposed amendment to change school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan.
- Amendment 3: Citizen-initiated ballot measure titled "Adult Personal Use of Marijuana." If passed, this amendment would legalise the possession, purchase, and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. The ACLU of Florida recommends voting "YES" on this amendment.
- Amendment 4: Supported by the ACLU of Florida, though the exact nature of this amendment is unclear.
- Amendment 5: A legislatively proposed amendment to provide for an annual adjustment for inflation to the value of the homestead property tax exemption.
- Amendment 6: A legislatively proposed amendment to repeal a constitutional provision stating that “it is the policy of this state to provide for state-wide elections in which all qualified candidates may compete effectively.” This amendment also ensures that there is a method of public financing to accomplish the goal of competitive elections.
Floridians can vote on these amendments, as well as for candidates, by mail, early in person, or on Election Day in November 2024.
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The impact of Amendment 3
Florida Amendment 3, also known as the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that aimed to legalize the adult personal use of marijuana. The amendment sought to allow adults aged 21 and older to possess, purchase, or use a limited amount of marijuana for recreational purposes. Currently, marijuana is only legal for medical use in Florida.
Moreover, Amendment 3 addressed issues of racial justice and personal freedom. By legalizing adult-use marijuana, the amendment aimed to reduce the negative impact on Black communities in Florida, who are disproportionately affected by the current criminal legal system. Additionally, Amendment 3 would have allowed Floridians to make personal choices about their recreational activities without facing criminal or civil liability.
The amendment gained bipartisan support, with endorsements from both the Florida Young Republicans and the Florida Democratic Party. The "Yes on 3" campaign also received significant financial support, with one of the largest donors being Trulieve, a medical marijuana dispensary. Despite the support and potential positive impacts, Amendment 3 ultimately failed to pass.
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Frequently asked questions
There are six proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot for Florida in 2024.
A proposed amendment requires at least 60% approval from voters to pass.
Examples include Amendment 1, which proposes to change school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan, Amendment 3, which proposes to legalise the adult personal use of marijuana, and Amendment 5, which proposes an annual adjustment for inflation to the value of the homestead property tax exemption.
You can refer to the 2024 Florida Amendment Guide by the James Madison Institute, or the 2024 Voter Information Center by the ACLU of Florida.
