Amendments:  There are 3 constitutional amendments on the ballot. 

Short answer:  Vote NO on all amendments.

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Some detail:  Note that all of these were brought about by the Legislature, not the public, which requires us to look at these amendments closely.   Many Democrats are voting NO for all 3 amendments.  In fact, the Palm Beach Post Editorial Board recently recommended a NO vote for all amendments: Click here to view their analysis.  Here is our own breakdown of the amendments:

 

Amendent #1:  Effective January 1, 2023 this amendment authorizes the Legislature to prevent flood resistance improvements made to a home (such as putting on stilts) from being considered when determining a property's assessed value for property taxes.  Analysis:  Some would argue this is good because it provides an incentive to homeowners to make their buildings more resilient to storms.  Others argue this would reduce the ad valorem taxes available for local government, that this would primarly benefit the wealthy, and that the state should not be amending the constitution for such purposes.

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Amendment #2:  This amendment would abolish the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).  This body meets every 20 years to determine what amendments to the State Constitution are needed and, if approved, the amendment is then put on the ballot.   Analysis:  Those supporting this amendment say the CRC has put forth unpopular and sometimes confusing amendments and this body is no longer needed.  Others say that this is one significant  means by which the public can update the state's constitution periodically and should be left in place.  Safeguards could be enacted to improve amendment wording and to prevent bundling of issues within the amendments, which has caused confusion in the past.

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Amendment #3:  This amendment would let the Legislature give an additional homestead tax exemption of $50,000 on the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, corrrectional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members.   Analysis:  Some would argue this is an appropriate benefit to provide to workers in these fields, while others would argue providing an additional $50k property tax exemption is unwise.  They point out that salaries for these professions should be increased and that government should work to provide more affordable housing, not reduce local government money by providing additional  tax exemptions.

 

For more discussion on the merits of these amendments,  you might check out these sites:

https://lwvfl.org/amendments-2022/  (League of Women Voters)

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https://bit.ly/3M0qNc8  (Florida Tax Watch) 

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https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2022-09-15/constitutional-amendments-florida-2022-ballot-explanation 

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*Details on In-Person Early Voting*

 

Oct 26 – Nov 5

8am – 5pm daily

 

Early Voting Locations:

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STUART

Elections Center (SOE Office),  135 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Robert Morgade Library,  5851 SE Community Dr

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HOBE SOUND

Hobe Sound Library, 10595 SE Federal Hwy

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INDIANTOWN

Elisabeth Lahti Library, 15200 SW Adams Ave

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JENSEN BEACH

Hoke Library,  1150 NE Jack Williams WayJ

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PALM CITY

Cummings Library,  2551 SW Matheson Ave​

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You are required to provide current and valid photo and signature identification in order to vote in person. Acceptable forms:

• Florida driver’s license
• Florida Identification Card (ID) issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles
• U.S. 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 US Dept. Of Veterans Affairs
• A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm
• Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the Federal Government, the state, county or municipality

Visit the Martin County Supervisor of Elections website at https://www.martinvotes.gov/ for further details on all matters related to voting.  To reach SOE by phone, call 772-288-5637 during office hours 8am – 5pm.