Florida judge orders rewriting fiscal language on ballot
La Corte ordena al Fiscal General corregir la redacción del Enmienda 3 por ser engañosa antes de las elecciones de noviembre.
A Tallahassee judge ruled that the title and summary of Amendment 3, a homestead tax initiative in Florida, are flawed and must be rewritten. The court ordered Attorney General James Uthmeier to correct the legal wording within a strict deadline of ten days before the general elections in November.
Defects in electoral language
Judge David Frank determined that the current title, "Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes," is not neutral and functions more as a political slogan. In his order dated August 3, Frank noted that the original wording advocated for a political position rather than objectively informing voters about the main purpose of the amendment.
The judge also criticized the proposed summary, arguing that it contained three separate political slogans intended to persuade electors. "The function of an electoral summary is to explain what an amendment would do, not advocate for its adoption," Frank wrote. The measure still appears on the November ballot because the judge lacked legal authority to remove it entirely.
Economic impact and reactions
Amendment 3 seeks to increase the state's homestead exemption from the current $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and then to $250,000 in 2028. However, cities and counties have warned that this measure could result in a loss of five billion dollars in tax revenue next year. State economists estimate the drop would reach nearly twelve billion by 2031, more context in Florida Judge Blocks Tax Amendment Ballot Language.
Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee), who led lawsuits against the measure, stated that their goal was not to stop tax relief but to ensure truthful information. "The voter deserves facts, not slogans," Brandes said in a public statement.
Next legal steps
Uthmeier must now submit a revised title and summary that eliminate the bias identified by the court. If the final text receives less than 60% state approval, it will not be added to the Florida Constitution. Opposing groups have asked the Attorney General to strictly follow judicial instructions to avoid new legal disputes before the elections.
