What Florida voters decided in 2018
On November 6, 2018, Florida voters decided six ballot measures while also electing statewide officials. Four measures (Amendments 1–4) appeared as constitutional amendments under Article XI; measures 5 and 6 addressed legislative ethics and hunting regulations. Outcomes were certified by the Florida Division of Elections, and some measures required implementing legislation or court rulings that shaped how they took effect over time.
Florida Amendment 4: Voting rights restoration for felons
Background and text
Amendment 4 proposed restoring voting rights to people with prior felony convictions, excluding those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, after they completed all terms of their sentence. This constitutional amendment advanced a long campaign by advocacy groups to change one of the nation’s strictest felon-disenfranchisement rules.
Outcome and implementation
The measure passed with about 64.5% of the vote, exceeding the 60% threshold required to amend the state constitution. Implementation proceeded through state law, including statutes defining "completed sentence" and guidance from state agencies. Court rulings subsequently clarified which individuals qualified and whether fines and restitution must be paid before registration, producing ongoing administrative and legal discussions that continue to shape access.
Florida Amendment 2: Property tax limits for non-homestead properties
What the amendment did
Amendment 2 limited the annual increase in assessed value of non-homestead property (such as rental homes and commercial real estate) to 10% of the assessed value each year, unless new construction or change in ownership occurred. The stated intent was to provide predictability in property taxes for certain non-owner-occupied real estate.
Passage and lasting effect
Approved by roughly 68.2% of voters, this amendment became part of the state constitution and remains in force. Assessors must apply the 10% cap to eligible parcels, influencing tax bills for businesses and investors and affecting local government revenue over time.
Florida Amendment 1: Property tax reassessment upon transfer
Key details
This amendment reaffirmed that property assessed under Save Our Homes (a homestead assessment limit) would receive a reassessment when ownership changed. It specified that the assessed value upon transfer could differ from the capped value, and that the Save Our Homes cap would not automatically apply after a transfer unless specific conditions were met.
Status and impact
Passed with strong support, the amendment clarified assessment rules for parcels changing hands. It reduced uncertainty in property transactions and provided clearer guidance for buyers, sellers, and local tax authorities, with enduring effects on how transfer-related reassessments are conducted.
Florida Amendment 3: Casino gambling expansion
Background and text
Amendment 3 would have authorized a statewide process to allow up to three casinos, with one potentially in each of three specific geographic areas selected by the Division of Elections. The amendment required a yes vote to add this authorization to the constitution.
Outcome and implications of rejection
Amendment 3 was defeated by approximately 53.3% of voters. By not adopting the measure, Florida retained its existing limited casino framework, notably excluding major retailers from operating casino-style gaming under this constitutional path. The result preserved the then-current landscape and constrained large-scale expansion via this route.
Florida Amendment 5: Supermajority requirement for tax or fee increases
Text and intended effect
Amendment 5 required a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Florida Legislature to raise, imposing, or extending taxes or fees. It also limited the ability to use fee increases as a substitute for taxes and restricted the ability to repeal tax credits without a supermajority.
Passage and practical consequences
Voters approved Amendment 5 with about 71.3% support. The measure raised the threshold for tax and fee actions in the legislature, affecting budget negotiations and policy tradeoffs. It continues to influence how revenue measures are designed and passed in the state capitol.
Florida Amendment 6: Legislative ethics and first responder language
Provisions covered
Amendment 6 included multiple provisions: a requirement for legislators and officials to follow certain ethics and financial disclosure rules, protection for whistleblowers, and added crime victims’ bill of rights language. It also changed statutory references from "he" to gender-neutral terms and added specific recognition for first responders and military personnel killed in the line of duty.
Adoption and enduring changes
Approved by about 71.1% of voters, the amendment made lasting adjustments to ethics standards, victim protections, and statutory language across Florida law. Many components remain in force, continuing to shape legislative procedures and public-sector accountability.
2018 Florida ballot measures at a glance
| Measure | Short description | Outcome | Status after 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 4 | Restore voting rights to most felons after sentence completion | Passed (~64.5%) | In force; implementation clarified by statutes and court rulings |
| Amendment 5 | Require supermajority to raise taxes or fees | Passed (~71.3%) | In force; raises require two-thirds legislative vote |
| Amendment 6 | Legislative ethics, victim rights, and gender-neutral language | Passed (~71.1%) | In force; ethics and victims’ provisions remain active |
| Amendment 3 | Authorize limited casino gambling expansion | Defeated (~53.3% no) | No constitutional authorization; prior limits remain |
Enduring policy themes from 2018
The 2018 cycle highlighted several durable themes in Florida policy and governance: the role of ballot measures in shaping criminal justice and electoral access, fiscal constraints on legislatures, property tax structures affecting homeowners and businesses, and regulated but limited casino expansion. Amendment 4 notably reshaped disenfranchisement demographics, while Amendment 5 altered budget dynamics, and Amendment 6 strengthened ethics and victims’ safeguards in state law.