ORLANDO, Fla. – Article 6, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution is at issue heading into the Nov. 5 election. To abolish or not to abolish?
This article was adopted in 1998 and sets spending limits for candidates who use public funds for their campaigns. It also says it is the state Legislature’s responsibility to fund statewide elections.
If a candidate runs unopposed and agrees to spending limits, targeted positions include governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and agriculture commissioner. Other requirements under this provision include raising $150,000 for gubernatorial candidates or $100,000 for cabinet candidates, limiting loans or personal contributions to $25,000, limiting political party contributions to $250,000, and This includes reporting campaign finance data to administrative departments.
According to Ballotpedia.org, the governor’s spending limit for 2022 was $30.29 million and the Cabinet spending limit was $15.14 million.
Florida is one of 12 states that require public funding for candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. Other states include Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The first attempt to repeal the policy failed in 2010. It is now up to Florida voters to decide whether to keep this policy in place. A supermajority of 60% is required to pass the amendment.
Here’s what you need to know:
(2024 Results: Complete Coverage | Voter Guide for the November 5th Election | Here are the six amendments on the ballot in Florida in November)
voting language
Voting summary:
From the Florida Department of Elections website:
Proposes repeal of a provision in the state constitution requiring public funds for the campaigns of candidates in statewide elections who agree to limits on campaign spending.
Amendment 6 removes Article 6, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution, which provides for statewide elections and makes it the policy of the state to set spending limits for candidates using public funds. . It looks like this:
Breakdown of proposed amendments
Currently, Florida’s constitution states, “The Legislature shall provide funds for this article,” but there would be spending limits on state-funded campaigns.
If the proposed amendment is rejected, the provisions will remain in place.
If Amendment 6 were to pass, it would effectively remove the requirement for Congress to provide campaign contributions to candidates running for statewide office. This resolution shall apply to the next general or special election.
According to the voting summary, removing this item would reduce public campaign funding, saving the General Revenue Fund between $4 million and $13 million per election cycle, but at the cost of allowing private donors to replace public funds. There is a high possibility that it will be used in the future and will be affected. According to the summary, the total distribution of public funds in the 2022 election cycle reached up to $13 million.
Ballotpedia reported that the amendment was originally approved along party lines. Republicans were in favor, Democrats were against.
The amendment received support from Republican state Sen. Travis Hutson, who proposed the amendment, and opposition from Democratic state Sen. Tina Polsky.
Common Cause Florida, a political action group, expressed concern about the amendment, saying the repeal would prevent candidates without efficient funding from running. “You don’t have to be rich to run for office,” the group’s website says.
conclusion
A “yes” vote on Amendment 6 means you are in favor of eliminating public financing for candidates across the state who agree to campaign restrictions.
A “no” vote on Amendment 6 means you oppose eliminating public financing for statewide candidates who agree to campaign restrictions.
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