Eleanor Finch
The Florida Constitution was last amended in 2018, when voters approved seven amendments proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission. The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years and can propose constitutional amendments on any subject. Florida has had six state constitutions, with the current constitution, consisting of 12 articles, being ratified in 1968. Since 1968, the Florida Constitution has been amended 146 times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of last amendment | November 5, 2024 |
| Number of amendments to the current constitution | 146 |
| Number of state constitutions | 6 |
| Date of the current constitution | 1968 |
| Number of articles in the current constitution | 12 |
| Number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | 8% of votes cast in the last presidential election |
| Vote percentage required for voter approval | 60% |
| Year the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission first met | 2007 |
| Year the Constitution Revision Commission first met | 1977 |
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What You'll Learn
The current Florida Constitution was ratified in 1968
Florida has had six state constitutions, with the current one being ratified in 1968. The current Florida Constitution of 1968 was proposed via three joint resolutions during special sessions of the Florida Legislature between June 24 and July 3, 1968. The resolutions included revisions to all articles except for Articles V, VI, and VIII. Notably, Article V, pertaining to the judiciary, was carried forward from the 1885 Constitution, while new Articles VI and VIII were proposed, relating to elections and suffrage, and local government, respectively. The 1968 Constitution was a significant step towards achieving fair apportionment of legislative districts, aligning with US Supreme Court decisions from that decade.
The 1968 Constitution has served as the foundation for Florida's governance, outlining the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights. This version of the Constitution has been amended numerous times to reflect the evolving needs of the state and its residents. Florida is unique in that it authorises two separate commissions, the Constitution Revision Commission and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, to propose amendments directly to voters for approval.
The Constitution Revision Commission convenes every 20 years, starting in 1977, and can address amendments on any subject. On the other hand, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which also meets every 20 years on a staggered schedule with the former commission, is limited to proposing amendments related to taxation and budget matters. This staggered arrangement ensures that one of these commissions holds a meeting every 10 years.
The most recent meeting of these commissions occurred in 2017-2018, when the Constitution Revision Commission placed several amendments on the 2018 ballot, all of which were approved by voters. Florida's Constitution has been amended 146 times as of 2024, with the most recent amendments being approved by voters on November 5, 2024. These amendments reflect the dynamic nature of Florida's governance and the ongoing efforts to ensure the state's Constitution remains relevant and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
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Florida has had six state constitutions
The first Florida Constitution was enacted in 1812, when Spanish East Florida was invaded by settlers from Georgia, known as the Patriot Army. This group had the support of the US government, which hoped to claim the territory. However, by 1813, the federal government retracted its support, and the Patriot Army abandoned their cause.
Florida's second constitution was written and implemented in 1838, as the territory sought recognition as a state. The third constitution was adopted in 1861. This was the first to contain a clause prohibiting individuals from holding two offices simultaneously, with limited exceptions.
The fourth constitution was enacted in 1868, during the Reconstruction era, and returned civilian control of the state after Florida became subject to the military authority of the federal government in 1867. The convention to frame this new constitution met in Tallahassee on January 20, 1868, and was attended by 46 elected delegates, 18 of whom were black and 15 of whom were former slaves.
The fifth constitution was adopted in 1885, and the sixth and current version is the Constitution of 1968, which has been amended 146 times. The most recent amendments were approved by voters on November 5, 2024. The Florida Constitution can be amended through various means, including legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, as well as through commission referrals. All constitutional amendments in Florida require voter approval.
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The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years
Florida's Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is an independent body that meets every 20 years to review and propose changes to the state's constitution. The CRC is composed of 37 commissioners, 36 of whom are appointed, while the state attorney general automatically serves as the 37th member. The commissioners are appointed as follows: 15 by the governor, nine by the president of the Senate, nine by the speaker of the House of Representatives, and three by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. The governor also designates the chair of the CRC.
The CRC's process involves travelling across Florida, conducting research, identifying issues, and holding public hearings to understand the concerns of Floridians. The commission also considers proposed constitutional amendments submitted by the public. The CRC typically meets for about a year and can refer constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote.
The Constitution Revision Commission was established in 1977, and it has met in 1997, 2017, and will convene again in 2037. Florida's constitution has been amended 146 times, with the last amendments approved by voters on November 5, 2024.
The state of Florida has had six constitutions: in 1812, 1838, 1861, 1868, 1885, and 1968. The current constitution, from 1968, was revised to ensure fair apportionment of legislative districts, in line with US Supreme Court decisions in the 1960s. The 1968 constitution included revised articles on elections, suffrage, and local government.
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The 1972 amendments reduced the number of courts in Florida
Florida's Constitution was last amended on November 5, 2024, when voters approved two new amendments. Florida's Constitution can be amended with 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.
Florida has had six state constitutions, with the current constitution being the sixth. The current constitution has been amended 146 times. The Constitution of the State of Florida was revised in 1968 and consisted of certain revised articles proposed by three joint resolutions. These were adopted during a special session held between June 24 and July 3, 1968, and were ratified by the electorate on November 5, 1968. The current Florida Constitution of 1968 was proposed during this period via three joint resolutions in special sessions of the Florida Legislature.
Article V of the Florida Constitution establishes the Florida Supreme Court, the Florida District Courts of Appeal, as well as circuit and county courts. It also describes how they are appointed and sets forth their jurisdiction. Notably, Article V was not included in the 1968 revision. It was only in 1971, during a special session, that the Legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 52-D, proposing the "modern" Article V to voters.
In 1972, Florida voters approved extensive amendments to Article V, creating a unified state courts system. This placed all lower courts under the administrative supervision of Florida's chief justice, requiring the creation of a new Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator to assist the chief justice. The 1972 amendments reduced the different kinds of courts in Florida from ten to four, making the system uniform throughout the state for the first time in Florida's history. This constitutional revision established a two-tier court system, created the position of chief judge, and designated the chief justice as the chief administrative officer for the entire court system, instituting the structural unification of Florida's courts.
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Amendments require a 60% vote for approval
The Florida Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1968. The most recent amendments were approved by voters on November 5, 2024.
Amending the Florida Constitution is a detailed process that can be initiated through various methods. These methods include legislative proposals, citizen initiatives, convention-referred amendments, and commission referrals from entities like the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
One notable aspect of the amendment process in Florida is the requirement for a 60% vote to approve an amendment. This threshold is one of the highest in the nation and has been the subject of debate. While some supporters argue that it protects the constitution from superfluous additions, opponents claim that it undermines direct democracy and makes it harder for grassroots movements to effect change.
The 60% requirement was approved by voters in 2006, following a resolution passed by the Legislature in 2005. This higher threshold was intended to safeguard the constitution from what some considered "superfluous additions." An example often cited by supporters of the higher threshold is Amendment 10 from 2002, which prohibited the confinement of pregnant pigs and was deemed by some as unnecessary and better suited for statutory law.
Despite the strong support for the 60% threshold, there have been recent efforts to weaken the ballot initiative process. From 2018 to 2023, lawmakers introduced and passed several bills that made it more challenging to propose constitutional amendments. These new regulations included increased costs and tighter timelines for collecting petition signatures, impacting the ability of citizens to propose changes directly.
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Frequently asked questions
The last time the Florida Constitution was amended was in 2018.
The Florida Constitution has been amended 146 times. The Constitution Revision Commission meets every 20 years to propose constitutional amendments, and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meets every 20 years on a staggered timeline, meaning there is a commission meeting every 10 years.
All constitutional amendments in Florida require voter approval.
