Wrap up on Fernandina Referendum and State Constitutional Amendment votes

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
November 4, 2020

In addition to deciding partisan and non-partisan races, local and state voters decided on proposed changes to to local Charters and the Florida Constitution as part of the November 3, 2020 General Election.

Fernandina Beach voters voted thumbs up (83.69%) on a Charter Amendment to further protect conservation lands and recreation facilities.  The languageof the Amendment:

Should the Fernandina Beach City Charter be amended to prohibit the sale or lease of City-ownde conservation lands and restrict the sale or lease of City-owned recreation facilities by requiring unanimous vote of the City Commission and approval at a referendum by at least 70% of the elecctors of the City?

All Florida voters were asked to weigh in on 6 proposed Constitutional Amendments.  Amendments must be approved by 60 percent or more of the votes cast to pass.  Four of the proposed amendments passed, while two failed.

PASSED

Amendment 1 — Citizenship Required to Vote (79.3%)

Amendment 2 — Raise Minimum Wage (60.8%)

Amendment 5 — Limitations on Homestead Property Tax (74.5%)

Amendment 6 — Tax Discount for Spouses of Deceased Veterans (89.7%)

FAILED

Amendment 3 — Open Primaries for State Offices (57% approved, but fell short of required 60%)

Amendment 4 — Voter Approval Changes for Constitutional Amendments (52.2% opposed)

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Bill Owen
Bill Owen (@guest_59413)
3 years ago

Allowing random changes like these to the state constitution – ANY constitution – is one of the worst ideas ever. We no longer have either a solid framework for governance (as a constitution should be) or a need for a legislature. Maybe we should amend the constitution to get rid of the legislature, and just go with jungle rules.

Can’t wait to see how many folks lose their jobs and see that the REAL minimum wage is ZERO. If a minimum wage is desired, it should be enacted as a law, not a change to the constitution.