Florida Amendment 5, Two-Thirds Vote of Legislature to Increase Taxes or Fees Amendment (2018)

Elections in Florida, 2018

* General election: Nov. 6
* Voter registration deadline: Oct. 9
* Early voting: Oct. 27 - Nov. 3[2]
* Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

* Online registration: Yes
* Same-day registration: No
* Voter ID: Photo ID required
* Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

* * *

On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • Attorney General • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • Appellate courts • Local judges • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Democratic primaries • Republican primaries

Florida Amendment 5

Election date
November 6, 2018
Topic
State legislatures measures and Taxes
Status
a Approved
Type
Constitutional amendment| Origin
State legislature

* * *

List of Florida measuresFlorida Amendment 1Florida Amendment 2Florida Amendment 3Florida Amendment 4Florida Amendment 5Florida Amendment 6Florida Amendment 7Florida Amendment 9Florida Amendment 10Florida Amendment 11Florida Amendment 12Florida Amendment 13Submit

* * *

Florida Amendment 5, the Two-Thirds Vote of Legislature to Increase Taxes or Fees Amendment, was on the ballot in Florida as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 6, 2018.[3] It was approved.

|  A "yes" vote supported requiring a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the Florida State Legislature to enact new taxes or fees or increase existing ones.

|

|  A "no" vote opposed the amendment, thus allowing the state legislature to continue to enact new taxes or fees or increase existing ones, except the corporate income tax, through a simple majority vote.

|

A 60 percent supermajority vote was required for the approval of Amendment 5.

## Contents

* 1 Election results
* 2 Overview
* 3 Text of measure
* 3.1 Ballot title
* 3.2 Ballot summary
* 3.3 Constitutional changes
* 3.4 Readability score
* 4 Support
* 4.1 Supporters
* 4.2 Arguments
* 5 Opposition
* 5.1 Opponents
* 5.2 Arguments
* 6 Media editorials
* 6.1 Support
* 6.2 Opposition
* 6.2.1 Additional editorial endorsements
* 7 Campaign finance
* 8 Polls
* 9 Background
* 9.1 Supermajority requirements for taxes
* 9.2 Ballot measures on supermajority requirements for taxes
* 9.3 Corporate income tax
* 9.4 Voter approval of amendments increasing taxes
* 9.5 Ballot measures to cap, limit, or restrict taxes in 2018
* 9.6 Referred amendments on the ballot
* 10 Path to the ballot
* 11 How to cast a vote
* 11.1 Poll times
* 11.2 Registration requirements
* 11.3 Automatic registration
* 11.4 Online registration
* 11.5 Same-day registration
* 11.6 Residency requirements
* 11.7 Verification of citizenship
* 11.8 Verifying your registration
* 11.9 Voter ID requirements
* 11.9.1 Background
* 12 State profile
* 12.1 Presidential voting pattern
* 12.1.1 Pivot Counties (2016)
* 12.1.2 Pivot Counties (2020)
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

## Election results[edit]

Florida Amendment 5

Result | Votes | Percentage

Yes

| 5,164,658 | 65.73%
No | 2,693,174 | 34.27%

Results are officially certified.
Source

## Overview[edit]

How did the amendment get on the ballot?

On January 9, 2018, Republican Gov. Rick Scott, in his last State of the State address, called on the state legislature to pass a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote to increase taxes.[4] The legislature passed the amendment, which was enrolled as Amendment 5. The Florida House of Representatives approved the amendment 80-29, with the support of 70 Republicans and 10 Democrats. The Florida State Senate approved the amendment 25-13. Republicans controlled 23 Senate seats; however, one Republican voted against the amendment. Three Democrats joined with Republicans to pass the amendment, sending Amendment 5 to the ballot.[5]

What did the amendment change?

Amendment 5 required a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the Florida State Legislature to enact new taxes or fees or increase existing ones. As of 2018, the state legislature was allowed to enact new taxes or fees or increase existing ones, except the corporate income tax, through a simple majority vote in each chamber. Voters approved an amendment for the corporate income tax, with a three-fifths vote requirement to increase the tax above 5.0 percent, in 1971.[3] The passage of Amendment 5 meant that a tax or fee could not be increased along a party-line vote, unless a single party controlled 27 seats in the state Senate and 80 seats in the state House. In 2018, Republicans controlled a majority of seats, but less than two-thirds of seats, in each chamber.

Amendment 5 also required that a bill enacting a new or increasing an existing tax or fee contain no other subject.[3]

Did other states have a similar requirement?

As of 2018, 15 states require a supermajority vote for at least some tax increases. Seven of the states requires a two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote to enact or increase taxes. Five states require a lower threshold of three-fifths (60.00 percent). Three states require a higher threshold of three-fourths (75.00 percent) to enact or increase taxes. The remaining states did not have a supermajority vote requirement to enact or increase taxes.

## Text of measure[edit]

### Ballot title[edit]

The ballot title was as follows:[3]

“  | SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE, AUTHORIZE, OR RAISE STATE TAXES OR FEES.[6] |  ”

|
|

### Ballot summary[edit]

The ballot summary was as follows:[3]

“  |

Prohibits the legislature from imposing, authorizing, or raising a state tax or fee except through legislation approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature in a bill containing no other subject. This proposal does not authorize a state tax or fee otherwise prohibited by the Constitution and does not apply to fees or taxes imposed or authorized to be imposed by a county, municipality, school board, or special district.[6]

|  ”

|
|

### Constitutional changes[edit]

See also: Article VII, Florida Constitution

The measure added a Section 19 to Article VII of the Florida Constitution. The following text was added:[3]

Note: Use your mouse to scroll over the below text to see the full text.

SECTION 19. Supermajority vote required to impose, authorize, or raise state taxes or fees.—

(a) SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE OR AUTHORIZE NEW STATE TAX OR FEE. No new state tax or fee may be imposed or authorized by the legislature except through legislation approved by two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature and presented to the Governor for approval pursuant to Article III, Section 8.

(b) SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED TO RAISE STATE TAXES OR FEES. No state tax or fee may be raised by the legislature except through legislation approved by two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature and presented to the Governor for approval pursuant to Article III, Section 8.

(c) APPLICABILITY. This section does not authorize the imposition of any state tax or fee otherwise prohibited by this Constitution, and does not apply to any tax or fee imposed by, or authorized to be imposed by, a county, municipality, school board, or special district.

(d) DEFINITIONS. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Fee" means any charge or payment required by law, including any fee for service, fee or cost for licenses, and charge for service.

(2) "Raise" means:

a. To increase or authorize an increase in the rate of a state tax or fee imposed on a percentage or per mill basis;

b. To increase or authorize an increase in the amount of a state tax or fee imposed on a flat or fixed amount basis; or

c. To decrease or eliminate a state tax or fee exemption or credit.

(e) SINGLE-SUBJECT. A state tax or fee imposed, authorized, or raised under this section must be contained in a separate bill that contains no other subject.[6]

|

### Readability score[edit]

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2018
Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The Florida State Legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure.

The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 16, and the FRE is 33. The word count for the ballot title is 85, and the estimated reading time is 22 seconds.

In 2018, for the 167 statewide measures on the ballot, the average ballot title or question was written at a level appropriate for those with between 19 and 20 years of U.S. formal education (graduate school-level of education), according to the FKGL formula. Read Ballotpedia's entire 2018 ballot language readability report here. During the 10-year period from 1997 to 2007, political scientists Shauna Reilly and Sean Richey found that average Florida ballot title score was equivalent to 17 years of U.S. formal education.

## Support[edit]

### Supporters[edit]

Officials

* Gov. Rick Scott (R)[7]
* House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-37)[7]
* Rep. Tom Leek (R-25)[5]
* Rep. Kionne McGhee (D-117)[8]
* Rep. Dane Eagle (R-77)[5]
* Rep. Larry Metz (R-32)[5]
* Sen. Rob Bradley (R-5)[9]

Organizations

* Florida TaxWatch[10]
* Florida Chamber of Commerce[10]
* Republican Party of Palm Beach County[11]
* Libertarian Party of Florida[12]
* Florida Family Policy Council[13]
* Tampa Bay Young Republicans[14]

### Arguments[edit]

* House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-37) said, "We should always make it much more difficult to raise taxes than it is to cut them. This amendment will secure and protect that legacy from future legislatures bent on raising taxes."[7]
* Rep. Tom Leek (R-25), a legislative sponsor of the amendment, stated, "I believe that taking a citizen's hard earned money should not be taken lightly."[15]
* Rep. Kionne McGhee (D-117), who voted for the amendment, said, "Politicians should not have the authority to raise taxes when they feel like it. There should be a higher threshold."[8]
* Sen. Rob Bradley (R-5), a proponent of the amendment, said, “It should be difficult to raise taxes. We want to make it as difficult as possible."[9]
* Lew Uhler, president of the National Tax Limitation Committee, said, "The amendment obviously is designed to raise the threshold for big spenders to increase taxes and tax rates. In a state like Florida, where you have no personal income tax, there is an effort to raise other taxes, so this is a proper defense mechanism. The requirement to reach that two-thirds threshold will force legislatures to think through the incentives for tax-raising."[16]

## Opposition[edit]

### Opponents[edit]

Officials

* Rep. Joseph Geller (D-100)[15]
* Rep. Sean Shaw (D-61)[17]
* Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D)[9]
* Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez (D-27)[18]

Organizations

* League of Women Voters of Florida[10]
* Florida Policy Institute[10]
* Progress Florida[10]
* Florida Education Association[10]
* Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida[19]

### Arguments[edit]

* The League of Women Voters of Florida argued, "This amendment does not include a provision that would allow for tax increases in times of emergencies (hurricane, floods, recession, etc.) and is an abrogation of the Legislature’s fiduciary responsibility to pass a reasonable budget."[10]
* Rep. Joseph Geller (D-100) stated, "I think this is a short-sighted idea. There's simply no need for this. Have some confidence in the people who will sit in these seats after you are gone."[15]
* Rep. Sean Shaw (D-61) said, "Each and every Session, there’s a different tension between taxes and revenue and what we want to spend money on and what we don’t. I’m no smarter than someone who’s going to come here 10 years from now to vote. And so I don’t think I ought to have more power than that person that sits in this seat 10 years from now to vote. They should be able to vote up or down on tax policy, up and down on revenues, just like I do."[17]
* Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez (D-27) said, "This legislature would be constrained from raising funds going into the future but when it comes time — like this legislature does every year — to carve special exemptions out of the tax base, there would not be a heightened threshold. What that does is make our tax code more and more and more regressive."[18]
* Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) said, “It’s very clear that they’re getting ready for when they’re out of power, and trying to stack the deck now as much as possible. Everything we have proposed hinges on our ability to defeat this. “What they want to do is pass this measure now so they’ll be able to jam a Democratic governor by forcing votes that will require Republican participation. We have to do everything we can to make sure this does not go through.”[9]
* Elaine Maag, a senior research associate at the Tax Policy Center said, "These supermajority rules make policymaking incredibly difficult. If a state can’t increase spending because of these very high bars for raising taxes, they can’t expand programs even if people in the state want them.”[9]

## Media editorials[edit]

See also: 2018 ballot measure media endorsements

### Support[edit]

* Your Observer said: "This amendment passes both of our tests: It will limit government power, which means it also will increase individual liberty. Nothing more needs to be said. Except …You’re likely to hear opponents to this measure say state lawmakers should be afforded flexibility — especially in times of financial crises, such as economic recessions. Don’t buy it. This measure won’t prohibit the Legislature from spending. Indeed, over the past five years, while the Legislature cut taxes, it also increased spending 31%, almost twice the national state average of 18%. Here’s a proven fact: States with falling tax burdens always show faster economic growth and higher per-capita income growth than states with rising tax burdens. As long as Florida remains a low-tax state, the economy will continue to grow, generating more and more revenue for the government, negating the need for tax increases. We recommend: Vote yes."[20]

### Opposition[edit]

* The Sun-Sentinel said: "We recommend NO — emphatically. It requires two-thirds supermajorities in the Florida House and Senate to raise state taxes or fees, adopt new ones or reduce or eliminate any tax exemption. House Speaker Richard Corcoran muscled this through the Legislature when he was planning to run for governor. It would give a minority of the Legislature a permanent stranglehold on Florida’s future, condemn the schools and colleges to eternal mediocrity, and thrust ever-increasing burdens on local governments. This is the worst amendment to come from the Legislature in the 51 years since the court-ordered end of malapportionment, which allowed rural counties with fewer than 18 percent of the people to elect majorities of both houses. South Florida needs the state to invest in big-ticket items to address sea-level rise and traffic congestion. If this amendment passes, inland or small counties could dictate what happens in coastal or urban counties, the drivers of our state’s economy."[21]

* The News-Press said: "No on Amendment 5: This amendment would require a two-thirds vote in the Florida House and Senate to raise taxes, but the amendment does not have enough teeth. The reason: your counties and cities, as well as school districts and other special districts, control most of your tax dollars. The amendment also stops a typical legislative technique of adding tax and fee increases onto other legislative bills, but the House and Senate are usually creative enough to find ways to add those fees."[22]

* The Tampa Bay Times said: "This measure would make it harder for future legislatures to raise or impose taxes by requiring a two-thirds vote rather than a simple majority. The likely effect would be to make it nearly impossible to raise taxes even in times of crisis. On Amendment 5, the Tampa Bay Times recommends voting No."[23]

* The Naples Daily News said: "Amendment 5 would require a two-thirds vote in both the Florida House and Senate to raise taxes or fees, not just a majority. This historically hasn’t been an issue so arguably it’s an amendment put on a crowded ballot by state lawmakers in an election year. More important than this amendment is for state leaders to adhere to the land acquisition funding formula voters passed, adequately fund traditional public schools, stop raiding affordable housing trust funds and fix Florida’s embarrassing No. 50 ranking in per capita mental health funding."[24]

* The Tallahassee Democrat said: "[Amendments 5, 7, 10, 12, and 13] are the detritus of the Constitution Revision Commission, with little or no impact on the lives of average Floridians, the kind of multi-tasking snowballing the CRC littered its amendments with — unrelated topics cobbled together in take-it-or-leave-it propositions. For most of them, we say leave it."[25]

* The Treasure Coast Newspapers said: "It would allow the minority to kill a proposal, awarding a relatively small number of lawmakers power over the entire 160-member Legislature."[26]

#### Additional editorial endorsements[edit]

In addition to the above editorial endorsements, the following outlets have also endorsed a no vote on the measure:

* The Florida Times-Union[27]
* The Herald-Tribune[28]
* The Daily Commercial[29]
* The Independent Florida Alligator[30]
* Orlando Sentinel[31]
* The Miami Herald[32]

## Campaign finance[edit]

Total campaign contributions:

Support: |  $0.00
Opposition: |  $0.00

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Florida ballot measures

There were no ballot measure committees registered in support of the measure or in opposition to the measure.[33]

## Polls[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

The following poll was conducted by Cherry Communications and commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce to gauge voter support and opposition toward the amendments on Florida's 2018 ballot. A total of 605 likely voters were polled, including 237 Republicans, 249 Democrats, and 119 others.[34]

Support and Opposition for Amendment 5

Poll | Support | Oppose| Undecided| Margin of error| Sample size
Florida Chamber of Commerce Poll
5/25/18 - 6/2/18 | 34%| 36%| 30%| +/-4.0| 605
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

## Background[edit]

### Supermajority requirements for taxes[edit]

As of 2018, fifteen (15) states require a supermajority vote for at least some statewide tax increases, and one state (Colorado) requires voter approval for tax increases. This section is referring to tax increases at the state level and does not include requirements for local tax increases. The following map illustrates the vote requirement to increase taxes in the states:

Seven of the states requires a two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote to enact or increase taxes. Five states require a lower threshold of three-fifths (60.00 percent). Three states require a higher threshold of three-fourths (75.00 percent) to enact or increase taxes. In Colorado, state taxes cannot be increased without voter approval except in cases of emergency, when the legislature can increases taxes by a two-thirds vote. The following table illustrates these requirements:[35][36]

State | Year | Vote | Application

|
|
|

Arizona | 1992 | 2/3 | All taxes
Arkansas | 1934 | 3/4 | All taxes except sales and alcohol
California | 1979 | 2/3 | All taxes
Colorado | 1992 |  Voter approval[37] | All taxes
Delaware | 1980 | 3/5 | All taxes
Florida | 1971 | 3/5 | Corporate income tax
Kentucky | 2000 | 3/5 | All taxes
Louisiana | 1966 | 2/3 | All taxes
Michigan | 1994 | 3/4 | State property tax
Mississippi | 1970 | 3/5 | All taxes
Missouri | 1996 | 2/3 | All taxes
Nevada | 1996 | 2/3 | All taxes
Oklahoma | 1992 | 3/4 | All taxes
Oregon | 1996 | 3/5 | All taxes
South Dakota | 1996 | 2/3 | All taxes
Wisconsin | 2011 | 2/3 | Sales, income, and franchise taxes

### Ballot measures on supermajority requirements for taxes[edit]

See also: Taxes on the ballot and Supermajority requirements on the ballot

Ballotpedia has identified 15 ballot measures related to legislative supermajority requirements to enact or increase taxes. Of the 15 ballot measures, 13 were approved—although courts in Washington overturned three approved initiatives—and two were defeated at the ballot box.

State | Year | Measure | Vote | Application | Status

|
|
|
|
|

Florida  |  1971  |  Amendment 1 |  3/5  |  Corporate income tax  |  Approved a
California  |  1978  |  Proposition 13 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Ohio  |  1983  |  Amendment 2 |  3/5  |  All taxes  |  Defeated d
Arizona  |  1992  |  Proposition 108 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Oklahoma  |  1992  |  Question 640 |  3/4  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Michigan  |  1994  |  Proposal A |  3/4  |  State property tax  |  Approved a
Nevada  |  1994  |  Question 11 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Oregon  |  1996  |  Measure 25 |  3/5  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Nevada  |  1996  |  Question 11 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
South Dakota  |  1996  |  Amendment B |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Iowa  |  1999  |  Amendment 2 |  3/5  |  Sales and income taxes  |  Defeated d
Washington  |  2007  |  Initiative 960 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Overturned ot
California  |  2010  |  Proposition 26 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Approved a
Washington  |  2010  |  Initiative 1053 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Overturned ot
Washington  |  2012  |  Initiative 1185 |  2/3  |  All taxes  |  Overturned ot

### Corporate income tax[edit]

As of 2018, the Florida State Legislature needed a three-fifths vote (60.00 percent) of each chamber to increase the corporate income tax above 5.0 percent. The vote requirement was passed in 1971, when voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow the state to enact a corporate income tax. As of 2018, the corporate income tax rate was 5.5 percent.[38] The state legislature increased the tax rate to 5.5 percent in 1984, requiring a three-fifths vote in each chamber.[39] In 1984, Democrats had a trifecta in state government, meaning Democrats controlled both chambers of the state legislature and governor's office.

### Voter approval of amendments increasing taxes[edit]

In 1996, voters approved a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds (66.67 percent) supermajority vote at the ballot to increase taxes through a legislative referral or citizen's initiative. The measure received the support of 69.3 percent of voters. As of 2018, there had been no constitutional amendments to increase taxes since before 1996.

### Ballot measures to cap, limit, or restrict taxes in 2018[edit]

See also: Taxes on the ballot

In 2018, voters in six states considered ballot measures to cap, limit, or restrict types of taxes. In Oregon and Washington, voters decided ballot initiatives to prohibit governments from enacting taxes on groceries. Oregan voters rejected the grocery tax ban. In Washington, the measure was ahead by 5 percentage points with 64 percent of precincts reporting.

In Arizona, an initiative to prohibit new taxes or increased tax rates on services was approved. Voters in California defeated an initiated measure to require voter approval for the state legislature to impose, increase, or extend fuel taxes or vehicle fees in the future. It would have also repealed a gas tax increase passed in 2017.

Legislatures in Florida and North Carolina referred constitutional amendments capping taxes to the ballot and both were approved. Voters in Florida and Oregon also considered ballot measures to require supermajorities of the state legislature to increase taxes. In Florida, the measure was approved, and, in Oregon, it was defeated.

An additional initiative qualified for the ballot in California but was withdrawn after proponents agreed to a compromise bill with legislators to keep the initiative off the ballot. The initiative would have required a two-thirds vote of the electorate on all local taxes, including soda taxes. The compromise legislation prohibited local soda taxes until 2031.

Measure  | Origin  | Description  | Status

|
|
|

Arizona Proposition 126 |  Initiative |  Prohibits the state and local governments from enacting new taxes or increasing tax rates on services  | a
California Proposition 6 |  Initiative |  Requires voter approval for the state legislature to impose, increase, or extend fuel taxes or vehicle fees in the future  | d
Florida Amendment 2 |  Legislature |  Makes permanent the cap of 10 percent on annual nonhomestead parcel assessment increases set to expire  | a
Florida Amendment 5 |  Legislature |  Requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the state legislature to enact new taxes or fees or increase existing ones  | a
North Carolina Amendment |  Legislature |  Lowers the maximum allowable state income tax rate from 10 percent to 7 percent  | a
Oregon Measure 103 |  Initiative |  Prohibits state and local governments from enacting taxes on groceries  | d
Oregon Measure 104 |  Initiative |  Requires a three-fifths vote of each chamber of the state legislature to increase revenue, such as via increasing taxes and decreasing tax exemptions  | d
Washington Initiative 1634 |  Initiative |  Prohibits local governments from enacting taxes on groceries  | a

### Referred amendments on the ballot[edit]

From 1996 through 2016, the Florida State Legislature referred 38 constitutional amendments to the ballot. Voters approved 25 and rejected 13 of the referred amendments. All of the amendments were referred to the ballot for elections during even-numbered election years. The average number of amendments appearing on even-year ballots was between three and four. In 2016, three referred amendments were on the ballot. The approval rate of referred amendments at the ballot box was 65.8 percent during the 20-year period from 1996 through 2016. The rejection rate was 34.2 percent.

Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments, 1996-2016

Total number |  Approved |  Percent approved |  Defeated |  Percent defeated |  Annual average |  Annual median |  Annual minimum |  Annual maximum
38  |  25  |  65.79%  |  13  |  34.21%  |  3.45  |  3.00  |  0  |  11

## Path to the ballot[edit]

See also: Amending the Florida Constitution

In Florida, a constitutional amendment must be passed by a 60 percent vote in each house of the Florida State Legislature during one legislative session.

On January 9, 2018, Republican Gov. Rick Scott, in his last State of the State address, called on the state legislature to pass a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote to increase taxes. He said, "It is during times of economic downturn where this proposal is needed the most. It will force leaders to contemplate living within their means rather than taking the easy way out and just sticking it to the public by raising taxes on families and job creators."[4][40]

The measure was introduced into the state legislature as House Joint Resolution 7001 (HJR 7001) on November 8, 2017. The Florida House of Representatives approved the amendment 80 to 29 with seven members not voting and four vacancies on January 25, 2018. The minimum number of votes required to pass the amendment was 72.[5]

Senate President Joe Negron (R-25) said he expected the proposal to receive support in the state Senate. He said, "We know that’s a strong priority of the governor, and something that the speaker has also made a priority. So I think you’ll see that legislation move forward in plenty of time to get it in front of the Senate."[41]

On March 5, 2018, the Florida State Senate approved the amendment 25 to 13. The minimum number of votes needed was 23. Republicans controlled 23 seats; however, Sen. Tom Lee (R-20) voted against the amendment, meaning at least one Democrat needed to join Republicans to approve the measure. Three Democrats—Sens. Linda Stewart (D-13), Bobby Powell Jr. (D-30), and Lauren Book (D-32)—joined with Republicans to pass the amendment, sending the measure to the ballot.[5]

| Vote in the Florida House of Representatives
January 25, 2018

Requirement: Three-fifths (60 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 72 a
| Yes| No| Not voting
Total| 80| 29| 11
Total percent| 66.67%| 24.17%| 9.17%
Democrat| 10| 29| 1
Republican| 70| 0| 6

| Vote in the Florida State Senate
March 5, 2018

Requirement: Three-fifths (60 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 23 a
| Yes| No| Not voting
Total| 25| 13| 0
Total percent| 65.79%| 34.21%| 0.00%
Democrat| 3| 12| 0
Republican| 22| 1| 0

## How to cast a vote[edit]

See also: Voting in Florida

### Poll times[edit]

In Florida, all polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Florida is split between Eastern and Central time zones.[42]

### Registration requirements[edit]

To vote in Florida, one must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a legal resident of Florida and the county in which he or she intends to vote.[43][44]

Voters may retrieve registration applications at the following locations:[43]

* Local elections offices
* Public assistance agencies
* Disability services agencies
* Independent living centers
* Military recruitment offices
* Public libraries
* Offices that issue driver's licenses
* Fishing and hunting license shops

A registration form is also available online. The form can be printed and submitted via mail.[44]

### Automatic registration[edit]

Florida does not practice automatic voter registration.

### Online registration[edit]

See also: Online voter registration

Florida has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

### Same-day registration[edit]

Florida does not allow same-day voter registration.

### Residency requirements[edit]

To register to vote in Florida, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

### Verification of citizenship[edit]

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Florida does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

### Verifying your registration[edit]

The page Voter Information Lookup, run by the Florida Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

### Voter ID requirements[edit]

Florida requires voters to present photo identification with a signature while voting.[45][46]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of November 2019. Click here for the Florida Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

* Florida driver’s license
* Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
* United States passport
* Debit or credit card
* Military identification
* Student identification
* Retirement center identification
* Neighborhood association identification
* Public assistance identification
* Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
* License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
* Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the federal government, the state, a county, or a municipality

A voter who presents an ID without a signature must show a second form of identification that includes the voter’s signature.

#### Background[edit]

In 1977, the Florida Legislature required every voter to present an ID in order to vote. In 1998, the legislature required voters to present a photo ID.[46]

As of April 2021, 35 states enforced (or were scheduled to begin enforcing) voter identification requirements. A total of 21 states required voters to present photo identification at the polls; the remainder accepted other forms of identification. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.[47][48]

## State profile[edit]

Demographic data for Florida

| Florida| U.S.
Total population:| 20,244,914| 316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):| 53,625| 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:| 76%| 73.6%
Black/African American:| 16.1%| 12.6%
Asian:| 2.6%| 5.1%
Native American:| 0.3%| 0.8%
Pacific Islander:| 0.1%| 0.2%
Two or more:| 2.4%| 3%
Hispanic/Latino:| 23.7%| 17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:| 86.9%| 86.7%
College graduation rate:| 27.3%| 29.8%
Income
Median household income:| $47,507| $53,889
Persons below poverty level:| 19.8%| 11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Florida.

* * *

**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

### Presidential voting pattern[edit]

See also: Presidential voting trends in Florida

Florida voted Republican in three out of the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016.

#### Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, four are located in Florida, accounting for 1.94 percent of the total pivot counties.[49]

#### Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Florida had three Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 1.66 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respsectively.

More Florida coverage on Ballotpedia

* Elections in Florida
* United States congressional delegations from Florida
* Public policy in Florida
* Influencers in Florida
* Florida fact checks
* More...

## See also[edit]

2018 measures

* 2018 ballot measures
* State legislatures measures on the ballot
* Taxes on the ballot
* 2018 legislative sessions

Florida

* Florida ballot measures
* Florida ballot measure laws

News and analysis

* Ballot measure lawsuits
* Ballot measure readability
* Ballot measure polls

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## External links[edit]

* HJR 7001

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Counties could add additional early voting days from October 22 through October 26 and/or November 4.
2. ↑ Counties could add additional early voting days from October 22 through October 26 and/or November 4.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Florida State Legislature, "House Bill 7001," accessed January 25, 2018
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Florida Governor, "Governor Rick Scott’s 2018 State of the State Address," January 9, 2018
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Florida State Legislature, "HB 7001 Status," accessed January 25, 2018
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Orlando Sentinel, "House passes plan to make tax increase harder," January 25, 2018
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tampa Bay Times, "Higher bar for new state taxes and fees wins support in House," January 25, 2018
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 News Journal, "At state level, GOP renews push to require 'supermajorities' for tax hikes," accessed July 10, 2018
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 League of Women Voters of Florida, "Amendments," accessed September 13, 2018
11. ↑ Palm Beach GOP on Facebook, October 18, 2018, 11:40 am Facebook post, accessed October 19, 2018
12. ↑ Libertarian Party of Florida, "LPF Voting Recommendations for the 2018 FL Ballot," accessed October 19, 2018
13. ↑ Florida Family Action, "2018 Ballot Amendment Voter Guide," accessed October 19, 2018
14. ↑ TBYR, "2018 Florida Constitutional Amendments Recommendations," accessed November 1, 2018
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 U.S. News, "Florida House: Require 2/3 Vote for Future Tax Hikes," January 25, 2018
16. ↑ Heartland, "FLORIDA VOTERS TO CONSIDER TAX HIKE SUPERMAJORITY QUESTION," accessed August 16, 2018
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Florida Politics, "House approves measure to make it harder to raise taxes in future," January 25, 2018
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Miami Herald, "Should it be harder for legislators to raise taxes? Voters get to decide in November," March 5, 2018
19. ↑ Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, "2018 Ballot Amendments Recommendations," accessed October 14, 2018
20. ↑ Your Observer, "Florida voters will decide dozens of ballot questions. Here are six for consideration," accessed October 13, 2018
21. ↑ Sun Sentinel, "Five good — seven bad — amendments for Florida’s Constitution | Editorial," accessed October 8, 2018
22. ↑ News-Press, "Editorial: Proposed amendments too much of a gamble; vote 'no' on 11 of them," accessed October 8, 2018
23. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Times recommends: Vote yes on Amendment 4, no on all of the rest," accessed October 8, 2018
24. ↑ Naples News, "Editorial: Our recommendations on tax-related amendments," accessed October 10, 2018
25. ↑ Tallahassee Democrat, "Florida's constitutional amendments: Vote 'yes' on 4 and 11, 'no' on rest | Our opinion," accessed October 12, 2018
26. ↑ Treasure Coast Palm, "How to vote on 12 constitutional amendments on Nov. 6 ballot | Our view," accessed October 13, 2018
27. ↑ Jacksonville, "Editorial: Sorting out confusing amendments for the voters," accessed October 15, 2018
28. ↑ Herald-Tribune, "Editorial: Recommendations on ballot proposals," accessed October 19, 2018
29. ↑ Daily Commercial, "Our Opinion: Our recommendations on the amendments," accessed October 23, 2018
30. ↑ The Independent Florida Alligator, "The Alligator's endorsements for Constitutional amendments and referenda," accessed October 31, 2018
31. ↑ The Orlando Sentinel, "Editorial: Florida's Election 2018: Our endorsements for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the amendments," accessed October 31, 2018
32. ↑ Miami Herald, "Learn how 12 Florida amendments affect your life, and your wallet, before you vote," accessed November 4, 2018
33. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Campaign Finance Database," accessed January 10, 2018
34. ↑ Sunshine State News, "Poll Points to Trouble for Many Ballot Proposals," accessed July 24, 2018
35. ↑ Florida State Legislature, "HJR 7001 Analysis," accessed January 26, 2018
36. ↑ NCSL, "Supermajority Vote Requirements to Pass the Budget," November 14, 2017
37. ↑ Voter approval of tax increases is required except the legislature can increases taxes by a two-thirds vote in cases of emergency.
38. ↑ Florida Department of Revenue, "Florida Corporate Income Tax," accessed March 6, 2018
39. ↑ Florida State Statutes, "Title XIV, Chapter 220," accessed March 6, 2018
40. ↑ The St. Augustine Record, "Governor touts record; wants increases to require ‘supermajority’," January 10, 2018
41. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Higher bar for new state taxes and fees wins support in House," January 25, 2018
42. ↑ Florida Secretary of State, "FAQ - Voting," accessed October 17, 2019
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Florida Division of Elections, "National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)," accessed October 6, 2019
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Florida Division of Elections, "Register to Vote or Update your Information," accessed October 6, 2019
45. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Election Day Voting," accessed September 29, 2019
46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Florida Division of Elections, "Florida History: Voter ID at the Polls," accessed September 29, 2019
47. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voter Identification Requirements|Voter ID Laws," June 5, 2017
48. ↑ The Washington Post, "Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states," October 27, 2014
49. ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.

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