Florida's 2024 constitutional amendments: What voters need to know

As Florida voters start thinking about November, they shouldn't forget a handful of proposed state constitutional amendments that will be at the end of the ballot.

Amendments must garner at least 60% approval to become the law of the land.

Two of the most consequential on the list — perhaps in state history — are initiatives guaranteeing access to abortion and legalizing recreational marijuana, put on the ballot by citizen-led campaigns.

The four others on the 2024 ballot, like repealing public campaign financing and creating a right to hunt and fish, are no small fry, either. Those were OK'd by the Florida Legislature.

In the lead-up to the Nov. 5 elections, here's what readers should know about the constitutional changes in their power:

Amendment 1 - Partisan School Board Members

Amendment 1 would make district school board elections partisan starting with the 2026 general election. Ironically, another ballot measure, approved by Florida voters in 1998, mandated in the state Constitution that those races be nonpartisan.

But, while not partisan on paper, school board elections have become far more politically contentious in recent years due to debates about COVID-19 measures and what books should be accessible to students.

Indeed, Gov. Ron DeSantis took unprecedented steps to influence school board races in 2022 and is trying to flip seats in the coming election.

Lawmakers pushing the amendment (HJR 31), pointing to the current politicization, said it would only increase transparency for voters. Opponents worry it would further politicize school board races.

Amendment 2 - Right to Hunt and Fish

Amendment 2 establishes a state constitutional right to hunt and fish. If approved by voters, Florida would join around two dozen other states that already have that right in place, including nearby Georgia and Alabama.

When lawmakers moved it onto the ballot (HJR 31), it received only one vote in opposition, from a Democrat questioning why it was needed. All the rest thought it was important to enshrine the activities, which play an important role in the traditions and economics of the state, in the Constitution.

The amendment does, however, face criticism from some conservationists.

"The biggest concern for me and other mainstream conservationists is that the amendment proclaims hunting and fishing the 'preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife,' " wrote Clay Henderson in an op-ed published by the Orlando Sentinel.

"Really? Often the preferred means to conserve fish and wildlife is to limit hunting and fishing to protect their numbers," he added.

Amendment 3 - Recreational Marijuana

Amendment 3 legalizes recreational marijuana in Florida. It allows those 21 and older to have up to 3 ounces and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.

Smart & Safe Florida, the group leading the campaign for the amendment, has raised to date nearly $55 million. Most of that has already been spent on gathering enough signatures for the measure to make the ballot, and most of that has come from Trulieve, the state's largest medical marijuana operator. Other state medical marijuana companies have started chipping in millions as well.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top conservatives in the state, though, oppose the measure. DeSantis said it could lead to prolific pot smells and accuses it of being written so broadly that it would limit how the state could regulate the industry.

That's something Smart & Safe Florida denies, saying the Florida Constitution, the proposed amendment and Florida Supreme Court precedent make clear that the state could enact recreational marijuana regulations, including ones limiting use in public places.

Floridians approved medical marijuana in 2016, getting more than 71% of the vote, though it failed to get enough votes when it first made the ballot in 2014.

Amendment 4 - Abortion Access

Amendment 4 guarantees abortion access in Florida. This amendment is likely to generate the most attention in Florida, especially since the Florida Supreme Court Ok'd a six-week abortion ban that will take effect May 1.

Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group leading the campaign for the amendment, has raised nearly $20 million to date from a collection of abortion-rights groups. The group was set to officially launch its "Yes On 4" campaign this weekend in Orlando.

Florida Republicans, including DeSantis, have come out in force against the amendment. So have a number of prominent anti-abortion groups that will try to tank the measure this fall.

If Amendment 4 is approved by Florida voters, abortion access would be assured in the state until fetal viability, or how soon a fetus can survive outside of its mother's womb, generally considered 24 weeks. It would also allow abortions when necessary to protect a patient’s health, as determined by a health care provider.

Opponents say that's too vague and will lead to an unregulated abortion industry, but amendment proponents dismiss those claims as "scare tactics."

Amendment 5 - Homestead Annual Inflation Adjustment

Amendment 5 could lead to more savings for property owners who apply for homestead property tax exemptions — and cost local governments millions in reduced revenues.

The Legislature-passed ballot measure (HJR 7017) requires annual adjustments to a chunk of the homestead exemption for inflation increases.

Those savings were touted by the lawmakers in favor of the measure, but some opponents worried about the cost to local governments.

The measure would reduce non-school local government property taxes by nearly $23 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, the first time it would take effect, according to a legislative analysis.

Within a few years, those losses would reach nearly $112 million, it estimates.

Amendment 6 - Public Campaign Financing

Lawmakers also OK'd Amendment 6 for the ballot (SJR 1114). It repeals public campaign financing.

Public funding is available in Florida for those running for governor and lieutenant governor (who are on the same ticket), attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner.

To be eligible, candidates must first raise a certain amount from state residents: $150,000 for governor and $100,000 for cabinet positions. They must also abide by state campaign finance laws as well as certain contribution limits.

Public campaign financing was enshrined in the state Constitution after a 1998 amendment — the same one that made school board positions nonpartisan (see 2024's Amendment 1).

More than $13 million in public funds went into the 2022 election. Gov. Ron DeSantis received $7,302,617 and his Democratic challenger, Charlie Crist, got $3,887,600, according to state data.

Lawmakers who were in support of the amendment tout it as a way to save taxpayer's money or redirect that money to other government services. Opponents say it'll hurt underfunded candidates who are facing competitors getting big-donor money.

A 2010 constitutional amendment that tried to repeal the financing failed, getting less than 53% of the vote.

When is Election Day 2024?

Election Day, Nov. 5, is nearly seven months away. The deadline to register to vote in Florida this year is Oct. 7.

Those who are eligible can register at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov or through a county Supervisor of Elections office.

The News Service of Florida contributed. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida constitutional amendments 2024 voter's guide