Amendment 4: Voter approval of Constitutional Amendments
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Sponsor: Keep Our Constitution Clean PC
Summary: Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the state constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections.
A yes vote would require voter approval of a constitutional amendment to occur twice, in two successive General Elections, for the amendment to take effect.
A no vote would keep the current system of voter approval for a constitutional amendment. Right now, voters only need to approve it once.
Supporters of the amendment include the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Keep our Constitution Clean.
Opponents include the ACLU, the AFL-CIO, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of Florida, Organize Florida, the Southern Poverty Law center, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the New Florida Majority, and the Service Employees International Union.
Analysis:
"It's like asking voters, 'are you sure? Are you really sure?' I feel like the 60 percent super majority we require for an amendment to pass is enough to do that, once," says Phil Mancusi, a political science professor at Palm Beach State College. "When you make the legislative process difficult like this, then only the important legislation gets through. Is this a way to not overly amend our constitution in Florida?"
Information provided by the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County
Download the 2020 Nonpartisan Voters Guide here.