Honestly, if you looked at the polls leading up to November, you probably thought Florida was about to look a whole lot different. The airwaves were jammed. Political action committees poured over $150 million into just one of the measures. It was, by all accounts, a relentless blitz. But when the dust settled on the florida amendment election results 2024, the map didn't shift nearly as much as the "yes" campaigns had hoped.
Florida is a weird place for constitutional changes because of a single number: 60%. Most states just need a simple majority to change their governing document. Not here. In the Sunshine State, you can win the popular vote and still lose the war. That is exactly what happened this time around.
The High Bar That Crushed Amendment 3 and 4
The biggest stories of the night were Amendment 3 (recreational marijuana) and Amendment 4 (abortion rights). If you just look at the raw numbers, a majority of Floridians actually wanted these changes. Amendment 4, which sought to enshrine abortion access, pulled in about 57% of the vote. In any other context, a 14-point margin of victory is a landslide. But in Florida, 57% is a failing grade.
It's the same story for weed. Amendment 3 ended up with roughly 55.9% support. Again, more than half the voters said "yes," yet the measure failed. Governor Ron DeSantis was incredibly vocal against both, using the state's "Florida Freedom Fund" and a series of late-game press conferences to hammer home the idea that these amendments were too "radical" for the state's constitution.
For the marijuana initiative, the opposition focused heavily on the "smell" and the corporate nature of the amendment, since it was backed heavily by Trulieve. On the abortion side, the "No on 4" campaign argued the language was too vague regarding "healthcare providers." Whether those arguments actually flipped voters or just kept the "yes" side from hitting that elusive 60% mark is something political scientists will be arguing about for years.
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Hunting, Fishing, and Taxes: The Winners
Not everything failed, though. Amendment 2, which established a constitutional right to hunt and fish, sailed through with over 67% of the vote. It actually won in all 67 counties. Even in deep-blue Alachua, it managed to squeak by with 52%. Critics called it a "solution in search of a problem," but voters clearly liked the idea of memorializing those pastimes "forever."
Then there was Amendment 5. This one was a bit more technical, dealing with the homestead property tax exemption. Basically, it ties part of your property tax exemption to inflation (the Consumer Price Index). It passed with about 66%. People like tax breaks. It's one of the few things that can actually unite Florida voters across the board.
What happened to the school boards?
Amendment 1 was a bit of a sleeper hit in terms of controversy. It wanted to make school board elections partisan again. Since 1998, these races have been non-partisan—meaning no "R" or "D" next to the names. The amendment failed, getting only 55% of the vote.
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Floridians seem to have a lingering desire to keep at least some level of local governance away from the direct reach of national party machines. Or maybe people just didn't want more politics in their schools. Either way, the status quo remains.
The Money Trail and the "Veto" Power of the 60% Rule
The sheer volume of cash in this election was staggering. Smart & Safe Florida, the group behind the marijuana measure, raised more than $153 million. Most of that came from the cannabis industry. On the other side, the Governor's efforts raised about $33 million to oppose both weed and abortion.
The florida amendment election results 2024 proved that money can buy a lot of ads, but it can't always overcome a supermajority requirement.
- Amendment 6 also bit the dust. This was a proposal to stop public campaign financing for statewide candidates. It was a weird one because it split voters almost down the middle, finishing with roughly 50% for and 50% against. Since it didn't even come close to 60%, the state will keep using public funds to help finance certain campaigns.
The New Political Reality
Florida isn't the swing state it used to be. Republicans now outnumber Democrats by more than a million registered voters in the state. You saw that reflected in the way the amendments performed. Even when "progressive" causes like marijuana and abortion rights get a majority, they can't break the 60% ceiling because the conservative base is now so large and disciplined.
If you're a homeowner, the most immediate change you'll feel is from Amendment 5. Starting in 2025, your homestead exemption will start shifting with inflation. It's not a life-changing amount of money for most, but in a state with rising insurance costs, every bit counts.
For those looking for recreational weed or expanded abortion access, the path forward is much murkier. These results mean the current six-week abortion ban stays in place, and marijuana remains medical-only for the foreseeable future.
What You Should Do Now
The 2024 cycle is over, but the results set the stage for 2026. If you're looking to stay engaged with Florida's shifting legal landscape, here are the best steps:
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- Check your property tax status: If you're a homeowner, keep an eye on your 2025 assessment to see how the Amendment 5 inflation adjustment affects your specific bill.
- Monitor the Legislature: Since Amendments 3 and 4 failed, any changes to marijuana or abortion laws will have to come through the Florida House and Senate in Tallahassee, not the ballot box.
- Update your voter registration: Florida has been purging inactive voters. Ensure your status is active at your local Supervisor of Elections website so you don't run into issues during local 2025 contests.
The 2024 results weren't just about what changed; they were a loud statement about how hard it is to change anything at all in Florida.