There was a lot at stake on Tuesday, when Americans went to the ballot box. While the majority of America’s attention was focused on who would become the 47th President of the United States, there were amendments and jobs up for election that have significant importance for all Floridians and people in Southwest Florida.
Floridians had a say on six amendments this election season. Notably, in the State of Florida amendments need 60% of approval from voters to be ratified. Amendment 1 was focused on if school board races should become politicized. The amendment was heavily supported by the Republican Party. The amendment did receive a majority of “yes votes” with roughly 55% of the vote. However, as amendments require 60% to be ratified, the amendment failed and will not go into effect.
Amendment 2 created further rights to protect the right to fish, hunt and game. Current laws do protect all three, but this amendment would further the protections. The amendment was easily approved with 67% voting in favor, which easily surpassed the 60% threshold.
Amendment 3 pushed to make recreational marijuana legal throughout the state. Notably, medical marijuana has been legal in Florida for a few years now. The amendment received 55% of the vote approving it, however it failed to reach the necessary 60% threshold.
Amendment 4 sought to make abortion legal to the viability of the child. The current restrictions on abortion are until six weeks and exceptions for rape and incest. The amendment received fiery debate on both sides, with Republicans calling out what they perceived as vague rules surrounding Amendment 4. Amendment 4 received the majority of yes votes with 57%, however it failed to reach 60%, and therefore failed.
Amendment 5 probably received the least coverage of all the amendments. It covered whether there should be an additional exemption to homestead tax exemptions depending on the annual rate of inflation. Florida voters gave it a rousing yes vote, with it receiving 66% of the vote, meaning the amendment passed.
Amendment 6 covered the rules around political public financing laws. Currently, politicians are entitled to public taxpayer financing for state-wide campaigns such as running for U.S. Senate, Governor of Florida or Attorney General. Voters were pretty split on the issue, with a yes vote receiving 50% of the vote. As with previous amendments, the amendment failed to be ratified with it receiving under 60%.
In total, two of the six amendments got the necessary 60% from voters to receive approval. The amendments which saw the most money spent and advertising time, Amendment 3 and Amendment 4, both failed to reach 60%.
As widely expected, Rick Scott had no problem in his reelection campaign. The incumbent and former Governor of Florida received 55.6% of the vote, compared to Democratic challenger Debbie Murcarsel-Powell, who received 42.7% of the vote.
Florida’s elections for the U.S. House again went largely as expected. Local area representative Byron Donalds won with 66% of the vote. Democratic challenger Kari Lerner received 33% of the vote. In total, Florida has 28 congressional districts for the U.S. House of Representatives, with 20 of the seats being won by Republicans.
For the Florida State House, Yvette Benarroch easily won her race for Florida District 81. She received 68% of the vote, compared to Democratic challenger Charles Work who received almost 32% of the vote.
Two sitting judges on the Florida Supreme Court faced an election to retain their seats. Both Judge Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso were appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, but had to be reelected by the people in a referendum. Both judges were approved and kept their seats on the Florida Supreme Court.
One of the least covered local races is the Collier County Mosquito Board. Russell Burland was the incumbent who had been on the Mosquito Board the previous four years. He faced challenger Lou Tinel. Russell Burland easily won with nearly 78% of the vote.
On Marco Island, four city council seats were up for grabs. Two incumbents lost, with Stephen Gray, Deb Henry, Bonita Schwan and Tamara Goehler getting seats on the Marco Island City Council.
Local Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro faced only a write-in candidate, and won with nearly 95% of the vote.
