Each amendment must get at least 60% of the vote to pass.

The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 24.

Amendment 4

Abortion access

Like voters in at least seven other states, Florida voters have collected enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to preserve the right to abortion access.

Florida statutes now ban abortions after six weeks, which opponents say is not long enough for a woman to learn that she is pregnant.

Amendment 4 reads: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.

The Associated Press says abortion rights advocates have turned back statewide laws banning the medical procedure in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont since 2022.

In Naples, however, some elected officials have come out publicly against Amendment 4. In a symbolic vote in June, the all-male Collier County Commission unanimously opposed the amendment. Lee County commissioners did the same in September.

Jane Schlechtweg, chair of the Collier County Democratic Party, called the commission vote an “outrage,” noting that a different Collier County Commission passed an ordinance in 2023 that declared people had the right to choose.

“We’re going to have more and more volunteers out canvassing as the elections approach,” Schlechtweg said. “We hand out an information card with all the information on Amendment 4 and tell people if you want your rights protected, you have to vote for a Democrat.”

While anti-abortion forces in Collier argue abortion is murder, abortion rights advocates say women are left to their own devices during life-threatening pregnancy crises.

Voting yes would expand the timeframe from six weeks to 23-24 weeks, the beginning of fetal viability. It would also allow abortions when necessary to protect a patient’s health—when a health care provider determines that is the case.

Voting no would leave abortions illegal in Florida after six weeks unless two physicians are willing to state that the pregnant person would die without one.

Amendment 3

Recreational marijuana

Florida Politics in June reported that 64% of 1,065 likely voters are in favor of Amendment 3, which would allow possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana for personal use without a medical prescription card.

The approval of the amendment might not help Collier County or Naples residents looking for a marijuana dispensary, though. The Collier County Commission last year prohibited medical marijuana dispensing facilities in unincorporated Collier. Not only that, the county planning board at one point voted against land use changes to allow the dispensaries.

Voting yes means anyone 21 years old and older would be able to use and possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana. Pot could be sold through marijuana dispensaries without the need for a medical marijuana card.

Voting no keeps recreational marijuana illegal.

Amendment 1

Partisan school board elections

Local school board elections in Florida are currently nonpartisan, which means all registered voters regardless of party can vote in the primary and general election for the candidates of their choice. If Amendment 1 passes, only voters registered with a political party can vote for candidates of that party.

Schlechtweg said partisan school board elections could disenfranchise thousands of voters in Collier County.

“If it passes, it will freeze out voters,” Schlechtweg told The Naples Press. “Florida is a closed primary state, which means if you’re not registered in any particular party, you may not be able to vote for the person you want to.”

And that could be a lot of voters.

According to the League of Women Voters, some 4 million Florida voters don’t identify as Democrat or Republican. They claim no party or belong to minor parties. Those who support Amendment 1 say partisan school boards contribute to transparency, as a candidate’s party affiliation indicates to voters how a candidate will vote on controversial board issues.

Voting yes on Amendment 1 would make district school board elections partisan again by listing candidates’ political parties on ballots.

Voting no would leave the races nonpartisan.

Amendment 2

Right to fish and hunt

Amendment 2 would provide and preserve “forever” a state constitutional right to hunt and fish — “including by the use of traditional methods.” It also would define hunting and fishing as the “preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”

It may seem a nonissue because the state issues hunting and fishing permits all day long, but the amendment is designed to enshrine the right in the state constitution so there are no future bans on fishing and hunting.

Environmental groups, naturalists and fishing and hunting organizations both support and oppose the amendment.

Those who support the amendment — All Florida, American Sportfishing Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Coastal Conservation Association and others — say it preserves a $15 billion industry.

Opponents — Humane Wildlife Consulting of South Florida, American Ecosystems Inc., Animal Wellness Action, Bear Defenders, Center for a Humane Economy and others — say the amendment could be used to limit conservation of lands and waters. Not only that, but “traditional methods” could mean a return to steel traps, baiting wildlife, spearfishing and gill nets.

Voting yes supports a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Florida.

Voting no would leave things as they are.

Amendment 5

Homestead annual inflation adjustment

This amendment from the Legislature would tie a portion of homestead property tax exemptions to inflation rates.

The amendment would give the owners of a primary residence a $25,000 homestead exemption from all property taxes. For homesteads valued between $50,000 and $75,000, another $25,000 homestead exemption is applied, which exempts that amount from all property taxes, except school district taxes. The adjustment would occur only if the Consumer Price Index increases.

The Florida League of Cities opposes the amendment because it could reduce tax revenue to Collier County and other counties combined by $22.8 million in 2026, and by $111.8 million in 2028-29.

Voting yes could mean savings for homeowners who apply for homestead exemptions.

Voting no would leave homestead exemption rates as they are now.

Amendment 6

Public Campaign Financing

The state constitution now provides candidates for governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture access to public campaign financing if they agree to spending limits. This amendment would repeal that section.

The Florida Legislature wants this because the campaign financing, which comes from Florida’s general fund, could be used for other programs such as education, health care or housing. Not only that, but those candidates — from governor to agriculture commissioner — won’t have to adhere to campaign spending limits.

Voting yes means there would be no more public funding for candidates for governor/lieutenant governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner. A previous amendment to ban public financing in Florida failed in 2010, gaining less than 53% of the vote.

Voting no would maintain the public funding of campaigns.