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    • Florida’s Amendment 6, repeals public campaign finance? opinions
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    Florida’s Amendment 6, repeals public campaign finance? opinions

    Online Niel Posted on

    Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    You know about 2024 Florida Amendments?

    Florida voters will face six proposals to amend the Constitution on the November 5 ballot. Each needs at least 60% of the vote to be enshrined in the Florida Constitution.

    Still not sure what each amendment means and whether you will vote yes or no? In this story, we highlight Amendment 6 to help you prepare for Election daywhich is from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

    If you want to vote for the candidates and Florida’s six amendments early, early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 3, with different hours and days depending on the county.

    Early voting: Here’s when it starts in Florida, including time, date and by county

    With less than two weeks until the election, if you’re still not sure what Amendment 6 — the “repeal of public campaign finance” or the “cleaner elections” amendment — means and whether you’ll vote yes or no. “vote, we’ll break you down.

    In this story, we highlight Amendment 6 and offer the recommendations (when available) of the editorial boards of two Florida newspapers in the USA TODAY NETWORK and four other Sunshine State newspapers. Although Florida is home to nearly two dozen newspapers, with 16 sites that are part of the USA TODAY network, a small fraction of the newspapers provide editorial board recommendations during the U.S. general election. However, every newspaper covered the Florida amendments in the 2024 election with stories explaining what it means for their readers. Below is a list of newspapers here with links to their websites if you want to do further research on Amendment 6.

    How many newspapers are there in Florida?

    Below is a list of Florida newspapers:

    Which Florida newspapers offer editorial board recommendations or endorsements of Florida amendments?

    For the 2024 general election, the editorial boards of six Florida newspapers provided recommendations — approvals on how to vote — on most of the six Florida amendments on the ballot.

    play

    Florida Amendment 6: Repeals provisions on public campaign spending funds

    FLORIDA TODAY’s John A. Torres discusses Amendment 6 on the November ballot with USA Today Florida Network reporters John Kennedy and James Call

    Sponsor: Florida Legislature

    Summary: The proposal to repeal the provision in the state Constitution that requires public funding for the campaigns of candidates for statewide elective office who agree to limit campaign spending.

    Florida Amendment 6: Are you voting yes or no on Florida’s amendments? What does amendment 6 mean, proposal for cleaner elections

    TCPalm, also known as Treasure Coast Newspapers, is part of the USA TODAY network, which covers Indian River County, Martin County and St. Lucy from Florida.

    TCpalm: NOT

    The TCpalm editorial board recommended a negative vote on Amendment 6.

    Why: “Florida enacted a public campaign finance law in 1986, and voters, rightly or wrongly, added it to the constitution in 1998 with a 64 percent vote. Voters rejected its repeal in 2010. There’s no reason to keep asking. Not.”

    The Palm Beach Post is part of the USA TODAY network.

    The Palm Beach Post: NOT

    The The Palm Beach Post editorial board recommends a Negative vote on amendment 6.

    Why: “Don’t Kill Public Funding: Money has long been an issue in running for public office, especially for candidates who aren’t multi-millionaires. But the Florida Legislature’s GOP supermajority is fine with that, and has come up with an undemocratic gimmick that would make it harder for less wealthy people to run while making office-seekers across the country even more accountable to special interests , lobbyists and black money. PACs.”

    Tampa Bay Times: NOT

    The The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board recommends a Negative vote on amendment 6.

    Why: “If you believe that special interests, big out-of-state donors, and unlimited campaign spending are healthy for Florida’s political environment, this amendment is for you. Otherwise, vote no. Amendment 6 would repeal Florida’s program that provides public funding to statewide political candidates who agree to limit campaign spending. This reasonable and voluntary compromise helps reduce the influence of big money politics while giving voters a broader slate of candidates to consider.”

    Miami Herald: NOT

    The The Miami Herald editorial board recommends a Negative vote on amendment 6.

    Why: “Florida voters are being asked to repeal a constitutional amendment that allows taxpayer money to be used by candidates running for state office, including governor. A “yes” vote on Amendment 6 — Repeal of public financing for statewide campaigns — would destroy Florida’s program that provides public matching financing to those running for office, a boost for candidates with limited financial means. We recommend a “no” vote, which would preserve the original constitutional amendment from 1998. While the measure hasn’t always worked out quite as Floridians had hoped, it was passed because of concerns about the high cost of running for office — and it remains a reality. If this measure is repealed, it is unlikely that such a protective action will ever reach the Florida constitution again.”

    The editorial boards of the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun Sentinel have combined their recommendations for most of Florida’s 2024 amendments. Below is what the editorial boards of both newspapers have to say about Amendment 6, the public campaign finance repeal amendment.

    Orlando Sentinel: NOT

    South Florida Sun Sentinel: NOT

    The Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun Sentinel The drafting committees recommend a negative vote on Amendment 6.

    Why: “Keep Campaign Finance Laws: Vote No on Amendment 6. Special interests are already too influential. The targeted program awards matching funds for political contributions of $250 or less from Florida residents. The money goes to gubernatorial and cabinet candidates who agree to limit total spending to $2 per registered voter in a governor’s race and $1 per voter for races for attorney general, agriculture commissioner and chief financial officer. They cannot put more than $25,000 into their own campaigns. Critics complain that it subsidizes candidates who don’t need the money, but also provides assistance to low-budget candidates trying to compete with big money.”

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