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Voting for the right Judge or Amendment can be very difficult. That’s why we’ve created this Quick Pick for voters to learn more about our ballot recommendations.
Democrats are running to: Bring down the costs of everyday goods, fully fund affordable housing, lower property insurance rates, defend a woman’s right to choose, end gun violence in our communities, and support our public schools & educators.
We can no longer afford radical activist judges on our courts and GOP backed amendments that damage our communities. On Tuesday, November 8th, Duval County voters will go to the polls to vote. Use our guide below to make the right choices Together, let’s preserve the American Dream and support our community with our vote!
District Court of Appeals: The district court of appeal are the intermediate appellate courts of the Florida state court system. District court of appeal judges, like Florida Supreme Court justices, are first recommended by the Florida Judicial Nominating Commission. They are then appointed by the governor of Florida, but have retention elections every six years, in which voters are asked on the ballot to vote whether the judge should be retained in office.
Recommendations:
Ross L. Bilbrey: No to Retain
Susan Kelsey: No to Retain
Bobby Long: No to Retain
Lori Rowe: No to Retain
Bo Winokur: No to Retain
Florida Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court in Florida. The justices are appointed by the governor to set terms, which do not exceed six years. Immediately after appointment, the initial term is three years or less because the justices must appear on the ballot in the next general election that occurs more than one year after their appointment. Afterward, they serve six-year terms and remain in office if retained in the general election near the end of each term. Citizens vote on whether or not they want to retain each justice in office.
Recommendations:
Charles T. Canady: No to Retain
John D. Couriel: No to Retain
Jamie Grosshans: No to Retain
Jorge Labarga: Yes to Retain
Ricky Polston: No to Retain
Amendment 1: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective January 1, 2023, to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit the consideration of any change or improvement made to real property used for residential purposes to improve the property’s resistance to flood damage in determining the assessed value of such property for ad valorem taxation purposes.
Recommendation: No on 1. This amendment benefits wealthy homeowners, by permanently exempting improvements made to their property from property and ad valorem taxes that benefit schools and city infrastructure.
Amendment 2: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets at 20-year intervals and is scheduled to next convene in 2037, as a method of submitting proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution to electors of the state for approval. This amendment does not affect the ability to revise or amend the State Constitution through citizen initiative, constitutional convention, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, or legislative joint resolution.
Recommendation: Yes on 2. This amendment abolishes the state Constitution Revision Commission; a body that has been used by the GOP to push un-popular amendments into our state constitution.
Amendment 3: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for non school levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members. This amendment shall take effect January 1, 2023.
Recommendation: Yes on 3. This amendment provides additional $50k property tax exemptions to teachers, law enforcement, first responders, child welfare workers, and active armed services members.