Honestly, if you looked at the raw numbers from the Florida 2024 ballot results without knowing the rules, you’d think it was a landslide victory for just about everything on the table. But Florida is weird. It’s one of those places where a majority isn’t always a win, and the 2024 election proved that in the most dramatic way possible.
Imagine getting 6 million people to agree on something and still losing.
That is basically what happened with the biggest headliners on the ballot. We’re talking about abortion access and recreational weed. Both of these had massive support—literally millions of votes—but they hit a brick wall called the "60% threshold." In Florida, if you want to change the state constitution, a simple majority of 50% plus one vote doesn’t cut it. You need a supermajority.
The Amendment 4 Heartbreak for Supporters
Let’s talk about Amendment 4. This was the one that would have enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution. It was a massive deal because Florida currently has a six-week ban in place, which most people realize is before many women even know they’re pregnant.
The results were staggering: 57.2% of voters said "Yes." In any other state, that’s a win. You go home, you celebrate, the law changes. But in Florida, because it didn't hit 60%, it failed. Just like that. The six-week ban stays. Governor Ron DeSantis put a ton of state resources and political capital into fighting this, and it worked. Even though more people wanted it than didn't, the status quo won on a technicality. It’s kinda wild when you think about the sheer volume of "Yes" votes—over 6 million people—that essentially ended up not counting for the final outcome.
Amendment 3: The Weed Dream Up in Smoke
Then there was Amendment 3. This would have legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. If you’ve walked around Miami or Orlando lately, you might think it’s already legal, but this would have made it official.
The "Yes" side spent a fortune—upwards of $150 million, mostly from Trulieve. They ran ads constantly. They had bipartisan support in some weird corners. Even Donald Trump, a Florida resident himself, said he’d vote for it.
But it suffered the same fate as Amendment 4.
It pulled in about 55.9% of the vote. Again, a clear majority. Most Floridians wanted the right to buy a joint without a medical card. But 55.9 is not 60. So, for now, recreational weed remains illegal in the Sunshine State. The "No on 3" campaign, led by the Governor and various business groups, successfully argued that it would lead to a "smelly" state and corporate monopolies. Whether you believe that or not, the math was on their side.
Beyond the Big Two: What Actually Passed?
It wasn't all "No" across the board. While the high-profile stuff failed, a couple of other amendments actually made the cut. You’ve gotta wonder why some things sail through while others sink.
- Amendment 2 (Right to Fish and Hunt): This passed easily with about 67% of the vote. It basically says that hunting and fishing are a public right and the "preferred means" of managing wildlife. Most people saw this as a "why not?" vote, though some environmentalists worried it might make it harder to protect endangered species later.
- Amendment 5 (Homestead Exemption Inflation Adjustment): This also passed, getting roughly 66% of the vote. It’s a bit of a dry topic, but basically, it adjusts part of your property tax exemption for inflation. In a state where insurance and housing costs are screaming through the roof, anything that sounds like a tax break is going to win.
The Partisan Shift Nobody Can Ignore
If the Florida 2024 ballot results told us one thing, it’s that Florida is no longer a swing state. It’s red. Bright red.
Donald Trump carried the state by over 13 points. He didn't just win the rural Panhandle; he flipped Miami-Dade County. That is a massive demographic shift. For decades, Miami-Dade was the Democratic stronghold that kept the state competitive. Not anymore. Trump won it by about 11 points, a margin we haven't seen for a Republican since the 80s.
Down-ballot, it was a similar story. Rick Scott kept his Senate seat against Debbie Mucarsel-Powell with a comfortable 55.6% of the vote. Republicans maintained their supermajorities in the state House and Senate. Basically, the GOP has a total lock on Tallahassee.
The Failed "Low-Key" Amendments
There were two other amendments that most people ignored until they got to the booth.
- Amendment 1: This sought to make school board elections partisan. Currently, they are non-partisan. It failed, getting only 55%. People seemingly prefer keeping the "R" and "D" out of the room where their kids learn to read.
- Amendment 6: This would have ended public campaign financing. It was almost a 50-50 split, but since it needed 60%, it died.
Why the 60% Rule Matters So Much Now
You have to look at the 2024 results as a lesson in Florida's unique brand of democracy. The 60% threshold was actually put in place by voters back in 2006. At the time, it was marketed as a way to keep the constitution from being cluttered with "frivolous" changes.
Today, it acts as a massive shield for the ruling party. It means that even if a movement is popular, it has to be overwhelmingly popular to change the law. If you are an organizer in Florida, you aren't fighting for 51%. You’re fighting for a landslide. And in a polarized world, getting 60% of people to agree on the color of the sky is getting harder and harder.
What’s Next for Florida Voters?
If you're looking for actionable insights from this mess, here’s the deal:
Check Your Registration Regularly
Florida has been aggressive about cleaning up voter rolls. If you didn't vote in 2024 or recently moved, go to the Florida Division of Elections website and make sure you're still "Active."
👉 See also: Eric Holder and Family: The Private Life of the 82nd Attorney General
Understand the Thresholds
If you support a future initiative—say, one regarding living wages or climate change—know that the signature gathering is only the first 10% of the battle. The real fight is the 60% bar. Campaigning in Florida requires a much broader "big tent" strategy than in other states.
Local Elections Are Where the Power Is
Since the state constitution is so hard to change, focus on your local city and county commissions. They have more leeway on things like zoning, local ordinances, and even how certain state laws are enforced.
Florida is changing, but the 2024 results show that the rules of the game are designed to favor the house. Whether you’re happy with the results or ready to move to Georgia, the data doesn't lie: Florida is a place where a majority doesn't always mean a win.
Stay informed. Don't just look at the headlines; look at the percentages. That’s where the real story lives.