Florida
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2010
Signature Deadline in 2010: February 1, 2010
Number of Signatures Needed to Qualify: 676,811 (constitutional amendment)
Gubernatorial Election in 2010: Open Seat
US Senate Election in 2010: Open Seat* (Due to Martinez's retiring, Crist will make an appointment to fill the remainder of the term)
Making another appearance on Florida’s list of ballot initiatives approved to circulate is the notorious Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR). Last year the legislature and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission considered putting TABOR on the ballot through a referral, but the proposal died in committee and failed in the state senate. This year, they are circulating to place it on the ballot. Governor Crist, who is running for US Senate in 2010, supports TABOR whether it is a legislative referral or through a ballot initiative.
Lawmakers referred other ballot measures—one that would repeal the state’s public campaign financing system and another that would give property tax breaks to people who haven't owned a primary home in the past eight years. The first-time break is expected to cost schools and local government just $10 million statewide in the first year, but that number would rise over time. This initiative would also give a property tax break to businesses.
A citizen’s initiative that had been in circulation since 2005 has also qualified for the 2010 ballot. If passed, the measure would require voter approval of amendments to local land use plans. Also approved for circulation are initiatives concerning offshore drilling, redistricting, minimum wage, the state lottery and educational fund allocation, medical marijuana, and sexual abuse of minors.
Finally, a “personhood” initiative has been approved to circulate. Part of a larger, right-wing effort to restrict reproductive rights in the states, these so-called “personhood initiatives” would end a woman's right to choose, ban several of the most medically safe forms of birth control, restrict common fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, and put an end to stem cell research. Perhaps most dangerous is the possibility that criminal investigations could be launched against women for their miscarriages. Supporters of this initiative would need to collect 678,811 signatures by February 1 to qualify for the ballot.
2008
For more 2008 election information, click here.
For additional information please check with the Florida Secretary State: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/
