Floridians voted for six consequential amendments during the 2020 election.
The amendments varied from raising the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 2021 to allowing all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation.
ABC Action News is sharing the results for each amendment below.
Note: The approval of Florida amendments requires a 60% majority vote.
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Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections
Summary: “The amendment provides that only United States Citizens who are at least eighteen years of age, a permanent resident of Florida, and registered to vote, as provided by law, shall be qualified to vote in a Florida election.”
Result:
What it means: Floridians voted to change the text — “only a citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote in Florida.
Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage
Summary: “Raises the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30, 2021. Each September 30 thereafter, the minimum wage shall increase by $1.00 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30, 2027.”
Result:
What it means: The state’s minimum wage will increase yearly until it reaches $15.00 per hour in September of 2026.
Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet
Summary: “Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. The two highest vote-getters advance to general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held and winner is determined in general election. Candidate’s party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024.”
Result:
What it means: Florida will stay a closed primary state, and not create the top-two system for its primaries.
Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Summary: “Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the state constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections.”
Result:
What it means: Nothing changes. For anything to become an amendment to the Florida constitution, it will need 60% voter approval in just one election.
Amendment 5: Limitations on Homestead Property Tax Assessments; increased portability period to transfer accrued benefit
Summary: “Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective January 1, 2021, to increase, from 2 years to 3 years, the period of time during which accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead.”
Result:
What it means: Effective January 1, 2021, the period in which a person can transfer “Save Our Homes” benefits will be extended from two years to three years.
Amendment 6: Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities
Summary: “Provides that the homestead property tax discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities carries over to such veteran's surviving spouse who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently resides on, the homestead property until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount may be transferred to a new homestead property of the surviving spouse under certain conditions. The amendment takes effect on January 1, 2021.”
Result:
What it means: Florida will allow the transfer of a homestead property tax discount to the spouses of certain deceased veterans who had permanent, combat-related disabilities.
