In November, along with the presidential election, Florida voters will vote to adopt six new amendments to the Florida Constitution.
These amendments include the partisan elections of school board members, the right to fish and hunt, annual adjustments to the value of certain homestead exemptions, the readjustment of a program that offers public financing for those running for an elected state position and, the most newsworthy, the legalization of recreational marijuana and the right to abortion.
Regarding the proposed amendment legalizing recreational marijuana for those over the age of 21, it would allow individuals of age to possess up to three ounces of marijuana and up to five grams in the form of concentrate.
Currently, Florida has a recently overturned 15-week abortion ban that has changed into a six-week abortion ban by the Florida Supreme Court. The ruling has yet to go into place. If the constitutional amendment is approved, it would provide a right to abortion before fetal viability and when deemed necessary, by the patient’s healthcare advisor.
While some of these amendments are widely in the favor of the general public, others face controversy. Regarding abortion, the language of the proposed amendment was challenged by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody arguing the language used was ‘vague’ and could be confusing to voters. The current language of the amendment reads “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.
The passage of each of these proposed constitutional amendments must reach support from at least 60% of voters in the state of Florida.
For those eligible to vote on these issues, this election year sets the stage for decisions with the potential for major changes to day-to-day life.
“I believe it’s just more controversial topics because of the era we are in, in terms of politics and society as a whole. It’s just things that are gathering a little bit more attention,” Miami Palmetto Senior High Honors U.S. Government teacher Kailey Almonte said.
At MPSH, many juniors and seniors will be eligible to vote on the above amendments.
“We do a voter drive at the beginning of the year trying to get everybody registered who will turn 18 before the primary which occurred in March and advocating for them voting in the primary. Beyond that, it’s pretty much letting them know about local issues that matter, not just the national issues,” Almonte said.
If eligible to register or pre-register to vote, click here.
