Florida Amendment 6 declared campaign funds

ORLANDO, Fla. – Article VI, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution is at stake in the November 5 election. To cancel or not to cancel?

The section was passed in 1998 and sets a spending limit for candidates who use public funds for their campaigns. It also states that it is the responsibility of the state parliament to provide funding for statewide elections.

Eligible offices include governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner, provided the candidate runs unopposed and agrees to spending limits. Other requirements under this section include raising $150,000 as a gubernatorial candidate or $100,000 as a Cabinet candidate, limiting loans or personal contributions to $25,000, limiting political party contributions to $250,000, and reporting campaign finance data to the elections department.

Accordingly Ballotpedia.orgIn 2022, the Governor’s spending limit was $30.29 million and the Cabinet spending limit was $15.14 million.

Florida is one of the 12 states that require public funding for gubernatorial and lieutenant governor candidates. Other states include Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont.

An initial attempt to repeal the policy failed in 2010. Now it’s up to Florida voters to decide whether or not the policy should stand. A majority of 60% is required to pass the amendment.

Here’s what you need to know:

[RESULTS 2024: Complete Coverage | Voter Guide for the Nov. 5 election | Here are the 6 amendments that will be on the Florida ballot in November]

Ballot language

VOTE SUMMARY:

Of the Florida Division of Elections website:

Proposing to repeal the provision in the state constitution requiring public financing of the campaigns of candidates for statewide elected office who agree to campaign spending caps.

Amendment 6 repeals Article VI, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution, which established that it is the policy of the state to provide for statewide elections and set spending limits for candidates using public funds. This is what it would look like.

Breakdown of the amendment

From now on it is Florida Constitution says, “The Legislature appropriates the funds for this provision,” but spending limits are placed on state-funded campaigns.

If the change is rejected, the article section remains.

If passed, Amendment 6 would essentially remove the Legislature’s requirement to provide campaign finance for candidates running for statewide office. The resolution applies to the next general or extraordinary election.

Removing the section will save the General Revenue Fund $4 million to $13 million per election cycle by eliminating public campaign financing, but will in turn impact private donors as they will likely be used in place of public funds, the release said Summary of ballots. In the 2022 election cycle, total public funding distributions were $13 million, the summary said.

Ballot reported that the amendment was initially passed on a bipartisan basis. Republicans were for it while Democrats were against it.

The amendment received support from the Republican state senator. Travis Hutson, who sponsored the amendment and opposition from the Democratic state senator. Tina Polsky.

Common Cause Florida, a political action group, expressed concerns about the change because eliminating funds would disqualify candidates who do not have sufficient resources from running. Those of the group website it says, “You shouldn’t be rich to run for office.”

Conclusion

A “YES” vote on Amendment 6 means you support repealing public funding for statewide candidates who agree to campaign restrictions.

A “NO” vote on Amendment 6 means you oppose repealing public funding for statewide candidates who agree to campaign restrictions.

---

Get today’s headlines in minutes Your Florida daily newspaper: