HOLT, Fla., Oct. 23, 2022—Early voting for the 2022 primary election begins tomorrow.

In addition to governor/lieutenant governor, senator, representative, state supreme court justices, district judges and local candidates, there are three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution on the ballot.

Amendment 1: Article VII, Section 4; Article XII, Section 42
“Limitation on the assessment of real property used for residential purposes”

How it reads: “Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective January 1, 2023, to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit the consideration of any change or improvement made to real property used for residential purposes to improve the property’s resistance to flood damage in determining the assessed value of such property for an ad valorem taxation purposes.”

What it means:  Give a tax break on property assessments for flooding.

A “yes” vote will authorize Florida legislature to pass laws that will disregard flood resistance improvements when assessing property value so property owners would not have to pay higher taxes because of those improvements.

A “no” vote will allow the flood resistance improvements to a home be considered when assessing the property’s value for tax purposes.

Requires 60 percent of the vote to pass.

When: Takes effect Jan. 1, 2023, if passed.

For more information: ballopedia.org, League of Women Voters, Florida Tax Watch

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Amendment 2: Article II, Section 5; Article XI, Sections 2 and 5
“Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission

How it reads: “Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets at 20-year intervals and is scheduled to next convene in 2037, as a method of submitting proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution to electors of the state for approval. This amendment does not affect the ability to revise or amend the State Constitution through citizen initiative, constitutional convention, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, or legislative joint resolution.

Background: The Constitution Revision Commission is a 37-member commission, established in 1968, that refers constitutional amendments directly to the ballot—bypassing the state house or senate—for public vote. After meeting in 2017, the commission proposed eight measures to the 2018 ballot; all were approved except one. Florida is the only state with this type of commission.

What it means: Eliminate the Constitution Revision Commission.

A “yes” vote will abolish the commission.

A “no” vote will allow it to remain.

Requires 60 percent of the votes to pass.

For more information: ballopedia.org, League of Women Voters, Florida Tax Watch

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Amendment 3: Article VII, Section 6; Article XII
“Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Specified Critical Public Service Workforce”

How it reads: “Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for non-school levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members. This amendment shall take effect January 1, 2023.

What it means: Allows a new homestead exemption up to $50,000, but does not apply to the school portion of property taxes.

A “yes” vote will allow the new homestead exemption.

A “no” vote will reject the new homestead exemption.

Requires 60 percent of the votes to pass.

When: Takes effect Jan. 1, 2023, if passed.

For more information: ballopedia.org, League of Women Voters, Florida Tax Watch