The Constitutional Amendments in the 2020 Florida General Election – coralgableslove.com

# 1 Constitutional Amendment, Article VI, Section 2: NO

The ACLU recommends to vote NO:

Vote No on ballot initiative 1, the so-called Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections. The amendment purports to limit voting toonlyU.S. citizens. However, federal and state law are already clear voting rights are strictly for U.S. citizens, and there are no movements to expand voting rights to noncitizens in Florida.This amendment is xenophobic and unpatriotriotic. It fails to strengthen our democracy or protect our elections. Instead, it opens the door for additional measures that would subvert and endanger the right of every citizen to vote.

RECOMMENDED READING: Florida General Election November 2020: Who To Vote For In Coral Gables & Miami-Dade County

The League of Women Voters recommends to vote YES:

Raises minimum wage to $10 per hour effective September 30th,2021. Each September 30th thereafter, minimum wage shall increase by $1 perhour until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour on September 30th, 2026. Fromthat point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjustedannually for inflation starting September 30th, 2027.

Support.The League supports secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all, and promotes social and economic justice for all Americans. Floridas present minimum wage yields $17,800 a year for a full-time worker, which doesnt come close to a living wage for a family of four.

RECOMMENDED READING: Use This Checklist to Prepare For The Florida General Election November 2020

The ACLU recommends to vote NO:

Vote No on ballot initiative #3, misleadingly titled, All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor and Cabinet. This amendment would have a negative impact on Black voters and effectively silence their voices. Additionally, it would create a top-two electoral system that could prevent voters in the general election from voting for members of their own party in state legislative, governor and cabinet races. The measure also raises First Amendment concerns by hindering political dissent and a political partys freedom of association, as well as the ability to select its candidates and messaging.

The ACLU recommends to vote NO:

Vote No on ballot Initiative #4, disingenuously and misleadingly titled Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments. This amendment is a political effort to obstruct voters ability to pass future constitutional amendments, even those with support from a supermajority of voters. This ballot initiative disregards the will of the people and renders their voices mute on the issues Floridians care about most.

The League of Women Voters recommends to vote NO:

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effectivedate January 1, 2021, to increase, from 2 years to 3 years, the period of time duringwhich accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a priorhomestead to a new homestead.

Oppose.The League has a position that no tax sources or revenue should be specified, limited, exempted, or prohibited in the Constitution.

The League of Women Voters recommends to vote NO:

This would amend Section 6 of Article 7 of the Florida Constitution toallow a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouseof a deceased veteran. This would be in effect until the spouse remarries, sells ordisposes of the property.

Oppose.The League has a position that no tax sources or revenue should be specified, limited, exempted, or prohibited in the Constitution.

Referendum: Shall the County Charter be amended to create an Independent Office of Inspector General who shall, at a minimum, be empowered to perform investigations, audits, reviews and oversight of County and County-funded contracts, programs, and projects for abuse, waste and mismanagement, and provide Inspector General services to other governmental entities, with such offices appointment, term, powers, duties and responsibilities to be further established by Ordinance?

It codifies it into the charter, rather than being something the mayor or the commissioners could change or get rid of, saidMonica Skoko Rodriguez, president of the Miami-Dade League of Women Voters. It secures that office.

Click here to read The Miami Heralds complete breakdown of the Miami-Dade County referendums for the 2020 Florida General Election on November 3rd.

Referendum: Shall the Charter be amended to require that when the Mayor or member of the County Commission resigns prospectively to run for another office the vacancy will be filled by election during the Primary and General Election rather than by appointment or by subsequent Special Election?

Vote YES to avoidspecial elections. Special elections generally have lower voter turnout than primary and general elections. Plus, special elections incur additional costs to taxpayers.

Doug Hanks from The Miami Herald further explains this referendum:

Thesecond charter amendmenton the Miami-Dade ballot would end special elections to replace mayors or county commissioners when they resign in advance to run for a different office.

State law requires local elected officials to give up their seats once they file to run for a different position (federal offices, such as Congress or president, are exempt from the rule). The resignations can take effect any time before the winner of the race would assume office. The proposed charter change would allow the county to elect a replacement for an outgoing commissioner or mayor in the same election that sparked the required resignation.

Click here to read The Miami Heralds complete breakdown of the Miami-Dade County referendums for the 2020 Florida General Election on November 3rd.

Referendum: Shall the Charter be amended to require, commencing with the qualifying for and holding of the General Election in 2024, that, contingent on a change to State law, the election of the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Supervisor of Elections be conducted on a nonpartisan basis and that no ballot shall show the party designation of any candidate for those offices?

This referendum would change the ballot to remove the REP or DEM label next to the candidates running for Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Supervisor of Elections.

Click here to read The Miami Heralds complete breakdown of the Miami-Dade County referendums for the 2020 Florida General Election on November 3rd.

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The Constitutional Amendments in the 2020 Florida General Election - coralgableslove.com