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Florida voters pay attention.
There are 6 proposed constitutional amendments on our ballot this year, including one that would raise the state minimum wage to $15.
Too lazy to do research on all of them? I got you.
Thread.
There are 6 proposed constitutional amendments on our ballot this year, including one that would raise the state minimum wage to $15.
Too lazy to do research on all of them? I got you.
Thread.
I'll also be providing my opinion on how you should vote on each other these, from the left of course. Because idgaf about being impartial.
Amendment 1 is low key xenophobic to me.
It is entitled "Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections"
Here's the thing, it's already the law that you have to be a citizen to vote. So why is this on the ballot? https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_1,_Citizen_Requirement_for_Voting_Initiative_(2020)
It is entitled "Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections"
Here's the thing, it's already the law that you have to be a citizen to vote. So why is this on the ballot? https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_1,_Citizen_Requirement_for_Voting_Initiative_(2020)
Currently, the FL constitution says "Every citizen of the United States..." who is 18 or older blah blah blah, can vote.
Amendment 1 would change that language to "Only a citizen...".
Amendment 1 would change that language to "Only a citizen...".
I'm no lawyer, but the existing language tell me that voting is a right that everyone has. While the proposed language 1) takes away the "every", which makes it seem like some people can't vote, and...
2) doubles down on citizenship which seems like it might be problematic, for example, for people who were born in the US but are undocumented, or can't prove their citizenship.
So who is behind this? Florida Citizen Voters, an org founded by John Loudon, some rich Republican dude. That's all I need to know.
Oh my fucking god. Please read this piece from the Tampa Bay Times.
Basically this useless amendment was filed right before the deadline just to clog supervisor of elections offices across the state. Wow.
Yeah, definitely voting NO on Amendment 1 https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/07/19/non-citizens-cant-vote-in-florida-so-why-is-this-group-trying-to-ban-itagain/
Basically this useless amendment was filed right before the deadline just to clog supervisor of elections offices across the state. Wow.
Yeah, definitely voting NO on Amendment 1 https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/07/19/non-citizens-cant-vote-in-florida-so-why-is-this-group-trying-to-ban-itagain/
Let's get to Amendment 2, entitled "Raising Florida's Minimum Wage", which is currently $8.46.
Starting next September 30th, it would be $10.00. Then it would go up every year until it gets to $15 on September 30th, 2026.
Starting next September 30th, it would be $10.00. Then it would go up every year until it gets to $15 on September 30th, 2026.
Right on the ballot, in bold all caps, there is a note about how Amendment 2 is estimated to have a negative effect on the state budget which may result in more taxes or a loss of government services.
Wtf. I've never seen something like this on a ballot before.
Wtf. I've never seen something like this on a ballot before.
Here's more info about Amendment 2 if you're interested.
The chair of the organization that is sponsoring this amendment is John Morgan. (Literally "for the people", am i right?)
Anyway, obviously vote YES on Amendment 2. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_2,_$15_Minimum_Wage_Initiative_(2020)
The chair of the organization that is sponsoring this amendment is John Morgan. (Literally "for the people", am i right?)
Anyway, obviously vote YES on Amendment 2. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_2,_$15_Minimum_Wage_Initiative_(2020)
(Ok I did not know John Morgan was that wealthy. Tax the rich.)
Amendment 3 would establish a top-two open primary for certain state offices (not for the Presidential primary).
We currently have a closed primary. Meaning if I can only vote in the Dem primary if I'm registered as a Dem. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_3,_Top-Two_Open_Primaries_for_State_Offices_Initiative_(2020)
We currently have a closed primary. Meaning if I can only vote in the Dem primary if I'm registered as a Dem. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_3,_Top-Two_Open_Primaries_for_State_Offices_Initiative_(2020)
So Amendment 3 would apply to elections for:
- state legislators
- governor & lieutenant governor
- elected cabinet members such as Attorney General
All candidates, regardless of party would be on the primary ballot. And the top two would advance to the general election.
- state legislators
- governor & lieutenant governor
- elected cabinet members such as Attorney General
All candidates, regardless of party would be on the primary ballot. And the top two would advance to the general election.
According to Ballotpedia, "Twenty-one (21) states conduct open primaries for congressional and state-level offices."
I've actually never thought much about nonpartisan open vs closed primaries. Which is better?
I've actually never thought much about nonpartisan open vs closed primaries. Which is better?
From my few minutes of googling, I actually think I'm in favor of open primaries.
Shouldn't all voters have a say from the beginning, and not just people who are registered with a certain party?
Shouldn't all voters have a say from the beginning, and not just people who are registered with a certain party?
Also, I imagine that open primaries makes it easier for 3rd party and independent candidates to have a chance at winning.
I think that's great. Fuck the 2 party system.
I think that's great. Fuck the 2 party system.
Also, about less than a 3rd of FL voters are registered as neither Democrats or Republicans. That's a lot of people who are left out of the primary process.
Amendment 3 is opposed by the Democratic and Republican Parties of Florida.
Amendment 3 is opposed by the Democratic and Republican Parties of Florida.
It is supported by All Voters Vote, Inc. The largest donor is Miguel "Mike" B. Fernandez, a billionaire healthcare businessman.
Anyway, I'm voting YES on 3.
Amendment 4 is very meta. It's entitled "Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments".
Right now, if an amendment passes 1x, it's added to the FL constitution
Amendment 4 would make it so that each amendment would have to pass TWICE, in two separate elections
I hate it already
Right now, if an amendment passes 1x, it's added to the FL constitution
Amendment 4 would make it so that each amendment would have to pass TWICE, in two separate elections
I hate it already
Like, why...what is Amendment 4 supposed to solve? Why should an amendment need to pass twice?
If the problem is voters not being sure of what they're voting for, there are better solutions to this. Including making these amendments easier to read & understand.
If the problem is voters not being sure of what they're voting for, there are better solutions to this. Including making these amendments easier to read & understand.
Let's see what Ballotpedia has to say.
Keep Our Constitution Clean PC is the org behind Amendment 4. Apparently they are mad because they think there have been too many "whimsical" amendments added to our constitution. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_4,_Require_Constitutional_Amendments_to_be_Passed_Twice_Initiative_(2020)
Keep Our Constitution Clean PC is the org behind Amendment 4. Apparently they are mad because they think there have been too many "whimsical" amendments added to our constitution. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_4,_Require_Constitutional_Amendments_to_be_Passed_Twice_Initiative_(2020)
Nevada is the only state that requires state constitutional amendments to be passed twice.
The ACLU of Florida opposes, saying Amendment 4 "disregards the will of the people and renders their voices mute on the very issues they care about"
The ACLU of Florida opposes, saying Amendment 4 "disregards the will of the people and renders their voices mute on the very issues they care about"
I tend to agree. I don't see why anyone would want a "pass it twice" law unless you wanted to prevent people from passing more amendments, which is essentially preventing people from participating democracy. We should be making that easier to do, not harder.
NO on Amendment 4.
NO on Amendment 4.
Amendment 5 is about property taxes, and as a non-property owner I'm inclined to not give a shit, but let's look at it anyway.
"Limitations on Homestead Property Tax Assessments; Increased portability period to transfer accrued benefit" https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_5,_Extend_%22Save_Our_Homes%22_Portability_Period_Amendment_(2020)
"Limitations on Homestead Property Tax Assessments; Increased portability period to transfer accrued benefit" https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_5,_Extend_%22Save_Our_Homes%22_Portability_Period_Amendment_(2020)
So in 1995 there was an amendment added to the FL constitution that "limited homestead property valuation increases to a maximum of 3% annually". People call it the "Save our Homes" benefit.
If you move, you have 2 years to transfer your "Save our Homes" benefit to your new home. Amendment 5 would change this from 2 years to 3 years.
So, this is good for property owners I guess, because it would save them money on property taxes.
But, as the League of Women Voters of Florida puts it, Amendment 5 would "reduce property tax revenue available for funding local schools and other services"
But, as the League of Women Voters of Florida puts it, Amendment 5 would "reduce property tax revenue available for funding local schools and other services"
The video here explains it better than I could.
It's estimated that local governments could lose $2 million in the first year, later on up to $10 million/year
I care about local schools & shit like that, so I'm voting NO on Amendment 5. Sorry homeowners https://www.local10.com/vote-2020/2020/10/05/explaining-florida-amendment-5-limitation-on-homestead-assessments/
It's estimated that local governments could lose $2 million in the first year, later on up to $10 million/year
I care about local schools & shit like that, so I'm voting NO on Amendment 5. Sorry homeowners https://www.local10.com/vote-2020/2020/10/05/explaining-florida-amendment-5-limitation-on-homestead-assessments/
Amendment 6: "Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities"
Basically, a deceased veteran would be able to transfer their homestead property tax discount to their surviving spouse https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_6,_Homestead_Property_Tax_Discount_for_Spouses_of_Deceased_Veterans_Amendment_(2020)
Basically, a deceased veteran would be able to transfer their homestead property tax discount to their surviving spouse https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_6,_Homestead_Property_Tax_Discount_for_Spouses_of_Deceased_Veterans_Amendment_(2020)
This is another property tax discount, which means it would affect funding for local services.
If you care about vets/their families you could argue that it's worth it. But I don't think benefits for those families should come at the expense of local schools
NO on Amendment 6
If you care about vets/their families you could argue that it's worth it. But I don't think benefits for those families should come at the expense of local schools
NO on Amendment 6
The government has more than enough money to take care of vets and their families if they wanted to, without sacrificing schools and other local government services.
So, here's a recap:
NO on Amendment 1 - ("only a citizen" can vote...)
YES on Amendment 2 - ($15 min. wage)
YES on Amendment 3 - (open primaries)
NO on Amendment 4 - (pass-it-twice requirement)
NO on Amendment 5
NO on Amendment 6
both of which are about property taxes
NO on Amendment 1 - ("only a citizen" can vote...)
YES on Amendment 2 - ($15 min. wage)
YES on Amendment 3 - (open primaries)
NO on Amendment 4 - (pass-it-twice requirement)
NO on Amendment 5
NO on Amendment 6
both of which are about property taxes
So I remembered that we have some law that requires every amendment on that ballot to have a fiscal impact statement. That's what this is. https://twitter.com/KeziyahL/status/1314285276664078338
Possible argument against Amendment 3 - a FL legislator argues that it could make it more difficult for candidates of color to win elections.
I don't know enough about open primaries to know whether or not this is true. https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2020/08/12/amendment-3-would-suppress-black-representation-in-florida-new-report-says/?outputType=amp
I don't know enough about open primaries to know whether or not this is true. https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2020/08/12/amendment-3-would-suppress-black-representation-in-florida-new-report-says/?outputType=amp
If it's true, I still kinda want everyone to be able to vote in primaries, regardless of party affiliation.
But also, Mike Fernandez, the billionaire who supports Amendment 3 is a Republican and was a "finance chairman to then-Gov. Rick Scott’s 2014 re-election campaign"
From the Tampa Bay Times article:
"The theory behind the measure is that allowing no-party affiliation and third-party voters to participate in primaries would discourage candidates from catering to the base of their party and would yield more moderate candidates."
"The theory behind the measure is that allowing no-party affiliation and third-party voters to participate in primaries would discourage candidates from catering to the base of their party and would yield more moderate candidates."
Just some other things to think about wrt Amendment 3. I'm still voting YES.
