Florida Court Weighs Challenge to Amendment 3 Ballot Language
Plaintiffs say the title uses biased language and the proposal could reduce local property-tax revenue by nearly $4.93 billion, according to state analysts.
- Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge David Frank heard arguments Wednesday in three consolidated lawsuits challenging Florida's Amendment 3 ballot language for a proposed property tax relief measure.
- Drafted by Governor Ron DeSantis and approved by the Legislature, Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 next year and $250,000 the following year while lowering non-homestead property assessment caps from 10 percent to 5 percent.
- Plaintiffs, including Former Sen. Jeff Brandes, argue the title "Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes" uses "emotional and political rhetoric" designed to sway voters, violating previous court rulings on fair ballot language.
- Representing the State, attorney Ben Gibson argued the ballot language explains the amendment's chief purpose and stated, "The ballot title and summary does not need to explain unknowns or hypothetical consequences." Judge Frank deferred ruling.
- Time remains critical before election officials begin printing ballots at the end of Aug, requiring a swift court decision on whether to revise the contested language before the upcoming deadline.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Judge Hears Challenge Claiming Proposed Property Tax Cut Ballot Title Is Misleading Political Rhetoric
A Leon County Circuit Court judge heard arguments regarding a challenge to Florida's proposed property tax amendment as plaintiffs, who include former local government elected officials and a former Republican legislator, contend the ballot summary uses biased language to sway voters. A decision could force Attorney General James Uthmeier to revise the ballot text before mail printing begins. The post Judge Hears Challenge Claiming Proposed Prop…
No ruling on Amendment 3 tax initiative challenges as primary inches closer
Former Sen. Jeff Brandes addresses reporters ahead of a hearing on the proposed property tax Amendment 3 in the Leon County Courthouse on July 29, 2026. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)The fate of Amendment 3 — a far-reaching property tax cut proposal that could cost cities and counties as $12 billion per year during the next five years — will soon be decided by a circuit court judge in Leon County. A trio of lawsuits filed by former e…
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