Elector Votes Required to Approve an Amendment to or a Revision of the State Constitution
Summary
SJR 864 proposes a constitutional amendment to lower the vote threshold required for Florida voters to approve a proposed amendment to or revision of the state constitution. Under current Article XI, Section 5, most constitutional changes must receive at least 60 percent approval; this resolution would reduce that requirement to 50 percent, unless another part of the constitution sets a different standard. If approved by the Legislature and then by voters, the change would apply to future constitutional amendments and revisions submitted to the ballot.
The resolution also updates the ballot language to inform voters that the proposal would revise the threshold for voter approval of constitutional amendments or revisions. Because it is a joint resolution, it does not itself change policy immediately; instead, it places a constitutional amendment before the electorate at a general or special election authorized by law.
Impact
If adopted, this measure would amend the Florida Constitution’s Article XI, Section 5, changing the supermajority requirement for ballot initiatives and legislatively proposed constitutional amendments from 60 percent to a simple majority of 50 percent. That would make it easier for future constitutional amendments and revisions to pass, affecting the initiative process, legislative referrals, and the broader rules governing constitutional change in Florida. The bill would not alter statutory law directly, but it would change the constitutional standard that governs how amendments become effective.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, there is no documented committee or floor sentiment to assess from the record here. The proposal itself suggests a reform-oriented approach aimed at making constitutional change more accessible to voters, which typically appeals to supporters of direct democracy and ballot-access reform. At the same time, the lack of recorded debate in the provided context means no formal support or opposition can be confirmed from committee discussion or voting history.
Contention
The central point of contention is the proposed reduction of the approval threshold from 60 percent to 50 percent. Supporters would likely argue that a simple majority better reflects democratic decision-making and prevents a minority of voters from blocking broadly supported constitutional changes. Opponents would likely argue that lowering the threshold makes the constitution easier to amend, potentially reducing stability and increasing the risk of frequent or poorly considered changes. No specific stakeholder positions are documented in the provided transcripts or votes, so these are the likely areas of dispute rather than recorded ones.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.