Early voting is taking place daily from 7am to 7pm and the 2018 ballot will be packed with a number of amendments for voters to decide on. Many of which have been loaded with additional provisions. We’ve had a team review the amendments and the entire Democratic Executive Committee voted on the below recommendations after lengthy discussion. We hope that you find our recommendations useful.
Print out the PDF of the amendment recommendations
Lee las recomendaciones en español
You can visit this link to access your sample ballot and follow along
Please pay special attention to Amendment 4 (voting rights) and Amendment 5 (tax limitations)
SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM
Referendum to Approve Ad Valorem Levy for Teachers, Instructional Personnel, School Safety and Security
$0.75 per $1000 increase in ad-valorem tax for School district
We recommend: YES!
To fund much needed increases in teachers’ salary and school security
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Amendment 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
Additional $25,000 homeowners exemption
We recommend: NO
Further revenue cuts will diminish already cash strapped essential services like police, fire, healthcare, transportation and affordable housing.
Amendment 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments
Permanent 10 percent cap increase on non-homestead properties
We recommend: NO
We suggest no, because the alternative would mean that Non-Florida residents would benefit at the additional expense to local municipalities and services.
Amendment 3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida
Citizen initiative approval on new casinos
We recommend: YES
We suggest Yes, because we want to empower local residents to protect their community’s character
Amendment 4: Voting Restoration Amendment
Restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence
We recommend: YES
Its time has come, Florida is one of 5 states that maintains an onerous procedure for restoring felons’ rights
Amendment 5: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees
2/3 votes of legislature required for tax or fees increase
We recommend: NO
Will deprive Legislature of meeting its responsibilities and impede an efficient operation in times of emergency operations. It’s an attempt by Republicans to thwart progress when they eventually lose their majority in Tallahassee
Amendment 6: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges
Expands scope of victims rights
We recommend: NO
Amendment does not provide for any additional rights to crime victims, but has other provisions for judges
Amendment 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities
Supermajority requirement for universities to increase fees/death benefits to first responders
We recommend: NO
Public universities will not be able to manage their budget adequately. Death benefits to first responders are already adequately provided by local and state government.
Amendment 9: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces
We recommend: YES
Protect our environment.
Amendment 10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation
Force counties to hold elections for more officials, Legislature session to start in January, create Office of Domestic Security and Department of Veterans Affairs.
We recommend: NO
Violates Dade County home rule charter for local municipalities
Amendment 11: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes
Would repeal the state’s ability to prohibit non-citizens or “aliens ineligible for citizenship” from buying, owning and selling property. Deletes provision to prosecute under old laws, deletes obsolete language in high speed rail
We recommend: YES
The old provisions are no longer viable. This does not grant or take away permissions, it would just clean up the language.
Amendment 12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers
Expands ethics rules for elected officials
We recommend: YES
Better control on lobbyists
Amendment 13: Ends Dog Racing
We recommend: YES
Dog racing is animal abuse.
COUNTY CHARTER REFERENDUMS
Referendum 1: Charter Amendment Relating to Nonpartisan Election of Clerk of the Circuit Court
Election of clerk to be non-partisan
We recommend: YES
This position is non-partisan and should be elected as such.
Referendum 2: Charter Amendment Relating to County Appointed Officials and Employees Running for Certain Elective Office
Reverse existing law on requiring officials to resign of running for another elected office
We recommend: YES
Give opportunity to more qualified candidates to run
Referendum 3: Charter Amendment Relating to Review of Initiatory Petitions for Legal Sufficiency
Commissioners to determine legal sufficiency of initiatory petition
We recommend: YES
Allows citizens to be empowered
Referendum 4: Charter Amendment Regarding Elections for County Commissioners and Mayor
Bypasses election if candidate runs unopposed
We recommend: YES
No need for an election if there is no opposition.
Referendum 5: Charter Amendment Prohibiting Certain Payments Circulators of Initiatory Petitions
Prohibit payment based on number of signatures obtained in an initiatory petition
We recommend: NO
Will disincentivize signature gathering.
Sign up for email updates, and join us at county and local club meetings to learn how to get more involved.