Political Action/Voting
Helen James, helenjames68@gmail.com
Shall:
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(1) seek to increase registration and voting;
(2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups.
RESOURCES
2024 General Election Ballot
There are six proposed constitutional amendments on the 2024 General Election ballot. Four of the Amendments were placed directly on the ballot by the Legislature, Amendments 1, 2, 5 and 6, and two Amendments, Amendments 3 and 4, are the result of citizen initiatives.
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AMENDMENT 1: Partisan School Board Elections
would make district school board elections partisan again, starting with the 2026 General Election, at a time when school boards have become political battlegrounds. For more than 20 years, Florida school board races have been nonpartisan. Returning to partisan labels could increase the level of discord and further politicize education in Florida.
Recommendation: OPPOSE
AMENDMENT 2: Right to Hunt and Fish
establishes hunting and fishing as a fundamental public right as a means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. The Amendment 'recognizes the importance of fishing and hunting to Florida's cultural heritage and its economy.' Conservationists, however, indicate that the best means of managing fish and wildlife is to restrict fishing and hunting. The Amendment would not restrict the regulatory authority of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission over hunting and fishing activities.
Recommendation: NEUTRAL. No position taken
AMENDMENT 3: Recreational Marijuana
decriminalizes recreational marijuana allowing those 21 years and older to possess up to 3 ounces and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrates. The Legislature would regulate time, place, and manner of use.
Recommendation: SUPPORT
AMENDMENT 4: Abortion Access
restricts government interference in a women's right to choose to terminate a pregnancy and guarantees access to abortions up to fetal viability, generally up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The Amendment would also allow the termination of a pregnancy when necessary to protect a patient's health, as determined by a health care provider. This Amendment returns the law to what it was before the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, a decision that was the law of the land for 50 years.
Recommendation: SUPPORT
AMENDMENT 5: Homestead Annual Inflation Adjustment
requires annual adjustments to homestead exemptions to respond to general inflation increases. The Amendment could lead to savings for property owners who apply for homestead exemptions, but could likely cost local governments millions in reduced tax revenues used to improve and enhance local communities and pay for first responders. According to a legislative analysis, the Amendment would reduce non-school property taxes by nearly $23 million in fiscal year 2025-26, the first time the Amendment would take effect. Those losses could reach nearly $112 million within a few years.
Recommendation: OPPOSE
AMENDMENT 6: Public Campaign Financing
repeals a current constitutional provision providing public campaign financing of statewide candidates including governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and agriculture commissioner.
Candidates must first raise a certain amount of money, $150,000 for governor and $100,000 for cabinet officers, to be eligible for public financing. While eliminating public campaign financing would preserve state taxpayer money, it would also hurt underfunded candidates who are facing competitors receiving big-donor money. An attempt to repeal public campaign financing failed in 2010.
Recommendation: OPPOSE
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As always, periodically check our website (Sarasotanaacp.org) for 2024 voting information.
5 Reasons Why You Should Vote!
Here are five reasons why you should register to vote, vote early and be sure to vote in every election – local, state and federal.
1. Elections have consequences. Every vote matters.
You have the power to make key decisions on the quality of life you want for yourself, your family, and your community. Voting is your chance to stand up for the issues you care about like affordable housing, economic justice, environmental protection, and quality education.
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While Presidential or other national elections draw significant attention, midterm and local elections typically see less voter turnout. A Portland State University study found that fewer than 15% of eligible voters were turning out to vote for Mayors, Council Members, and other local offices.
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Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters, making a single vote even more statistically meaningful. While certain propositions may be popular, and therefore seem like a sure thing, they can fail if people stay home.
2. It’s your right. Not voting is giving up your voice.
Today, most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in federal and state elections, but voting was not always a right for all Americans.
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Because the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this question was largely left to the states in the 1800s. While no longer explicitly excluded, voter suppression is a problem in many parts of the country.
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It was not until the 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 that black men were allowed to vote. But even so, many would-be voters faced measures meant to discourage them from exercising that right. This would continue until the 24th Amendment in 1964, which eliminated the poll tax, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended Jim Crow laws. Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the long efforts of the women’s suffrage movement finally resulted in the 19th Amendment.
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Later, in 1971, the American voting age was lowered to 18, building on the idea that if a person was old enough to serve their country in the military, they should be allowed to vote.
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It took many years of marching, protesting, and fighting for all of us to have the right to vote. Use your right. Exert your power.
3. It's your money.
One way or the other, every person in our community pays taxes – both citizens and non-citizens. And yet, most people don’t know how that money is being used. Voting is your chance to choose how your tax dollars are spent, such as additional funding for health care and social services. This happens both through your vote on specific propositions and ballot measures, as well as those we elect to leadership positions that commit to supporting key social services in our communities.
4. Voting is an opportunity for change.
Do you want to make a positive impact in your community? Voting gives you that chance! There are many social issues affected by elections, including (but not limited to) gay marriage, reproductive rights, environmental issues, public education, etc. Social issues affect everyone in one way or another. To have a say in who gets to determine social agendas, it’s essential to vote.
5. The community depends on you!
Our communities are made up of family, friends, loved ones, neighbors, and children. Some may not know how important voting is, while others cannot vote. Make the decision to vote to be a voice for yourself and those around you.
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Make sure your voice is heard – your vote is your health. Vote!
Being the change you want to see.
Help make a difference in your community during this general election.
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If you do not quality to vote, you can still participate.
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If you are not yet 18, or are not a United States citizen, you can still participate in the following ways:
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Get informed. Read up on issues (both local and national) and figure out where you stand.
Get out and talk to people. Even if you cannot vote, you can still voice opinions in public forums. When people engage each other about the issues, we stand to become better-informed citizens.
Volunteer. You can work with outreach campaigns by volunteering to get out the vote in your community through phone banks, door-to-door outreach, and texting. To volunteer at AltaMed, click here.