NOVEMber 5 ELECTION: Amendments - referendum - judges

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO

Changes school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan beginning in the 2026 election cycle. It is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: If this passes, school board races could become more politicized. Designating party affiliation for these races would also create a closed primary system in which non-affiliated voters could not participate.   More about Amendment 1 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO 

Establishes a state constitutional right to hunt and fish. This amendment is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: Since 2002, the Florida has a statute protecting the right to hunt and fish under the of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This amendment would remove the commission’s authority to manage wildlife populations. Managing wildlife populations would then be left to hunters and sport fishermen, who might return to traditional methods that have been prohibited such as steel traps, spearfishing and gill nets. . More about Amendment 2 from VOTE411.org

 Manatee Dems Recommend: VOTE YES

Legalize marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. This amendment is a citizen initiative. 

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, Floridians over the age of 21 will be able to possess up to three ounces of marijuana for non-medical personal use. Thirty seven states have passed similar laws, reporting tax revenues up to $431.3 million annually. Marijuana, however, is still illegal at the federal level, which means it is still not allowed on federal land or college campuses that receive federal funding, no matter what the state statute says. Amendment 3 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE YES 

Provides a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability, which is estimated to be around 24 weeks, or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. This amendment is a citizen initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, women would have the right to seek an abortion in Florida up to the point of fetal viability. If it does not pass, a woman may only seek an abortion up to the sixth week of gestation, before most women know they are pregnant. Opponents claim the amendment is too vague and would lead to an unregulated abortion industry. However, the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Florida says, “All Floridians deserve the freedom to make personal medical decisions, free of government intrusion.” More about Amendment 4 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO 

Provide for an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead property tax exemption. This amendment is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

Creates an annual inflation adjustment on the amount that is tax-exempt from a homeowner’s primary residence homestead exemption, reducing revenue for local communities by an estimated $111 million annually by 2029.

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, the amendment would increase tax savings for homeowners, but reduce tax revenue for cities and counties by millions of dollars. The effect would be cuts in funding for community programs and services like public safety workers, parks and sanitation collection. More on Amendment 5 from VOTE411.org.

Manatee Dems Recommend VOTE NO 

Repeal a constitutional provision providing public campaign financing for candidates who agree to spending limits. This amendment is a Florida State Legislature initiative.

MANATEE DEMS: If passed, the amendment would remove current campaign financing and spending limits for publicly funded candidates for governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture. If passed, it would give more political power to corporations and wealthy individuals and candidates by repealing the public financing option available for state candidate campaigns passed by voters in 1998. More on Amendment6 from VOTE411.org.