State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky and students interviewing her on the importance of voting. {courtesy}
From State Rep Christine Hunschofsky:
As we transition into fall, I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and the festive spirit of October. Halloween is just around the corner, and I want to remind everyone to have a safe and fun time, whether you’re trick-or-treating, attending local events, or just enjoying the spooky season with friends and family. Make sure to check your local city websites for details on any Halloween events and safety tips to ensure everyone has an enjoyable time.
We are now about a month away from the upcoming election. With many important races and amendments on the November ballot, now is the time to ensure you’re ready to cast your vote. The deadline to register to vote is October 7th, and you can complete your registration online at www.registertovoteflorida.gov. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 24th. Early voting in Broward County will begin on October 21st and run through November 3rd, from 7 am to 7 pm. You can vote at any of the Early Voting sites as long as you are registered to vote and present your ID. Election day is November 5th, from 7 am to 7 pm. You can check your polling place, review your sample ballot, view early voting and vote-by-mail drop-off locations, and track your vote-by-mail ballot at www.BrowardVotes.gov.
On the ballot, there will be six constitutional amendments for you to vote on. These require 60% of the vote to be enacted. The following is a brief summary on each amendment and what they will do. I encourage everyone to do their own research on the pros and cons and to read the language of these amendments, which can be found at dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives. Being an informed voter is important because your vote is your voice in this process.
- Amendment 1: Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards
- Voting yes would allow parties to nominate candidates and have their political affiliation listed on the ballot. Supporters argue these races are already becoming partisan, and this would add more transparency.
- Voting no would leave these races nonpartisan. Critics argue that school boards should remain as apolitical as possible.
- Amendment 2: Right to Fish and Hunt
- Voting yes would enshrine this right into the Florida Constitution as the preferred means for responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Supporters argue that it will protect individuals’ rights to gaming and sporting how they wish (in line with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s authority).
- Voting no would leave things as they are. Critics argue this could be used to limit conservation efforts by making it harder for the state to ban or restrict various forms of hunting/fishing.
- Amendment 3: Adult Personal Use of Marijuana
- Voting yes would legalize recreational marijuana consumption for adults 21 years or older to use or possess up to 3 ounces, with not more than 5 grams in a concentrated form. Supporters argue that it will decrease the workloads and expenses of law enforcement and the justice system, ensure that users have a safe, regulated product, and significantly add to tax revenues.
- Voting no keeps recreational marijuana illegal. Critics argue that the amendment would lead to health and safety risks and greater traffic accidents, and fatalities.
- Amendment 4: Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion
- Voting yes would make abortion legal until fetal viability. It would also allow abortions when necessary to protect a patient’s health, as determined by a health care provider. Supporters argue that the current 6-week ban is too restrictive and that this would give important, life-saving healthcare decisions back to women.
- Voting no would keep the current 6-week abortion restrictions in place. Critics argue that the amendment language is too vague and will lead to lawsuits.
- Amendment 5: Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemption.
- Voting yes would mean adding a yearly inflation adjustment, tied to the Consumer Price Index, to the homestead property tax exemption. This would be for the $25,000 exemption that does not affect taxes for school districts. Supporters argue that this will give homeowners relief on their taxes by adjusting for inflation.
- Voting no would leave homestead exemption rates as they are now. Critics argue that this amendment would hurt local government revenues unless local officials vote to raise taxes. According to a legislative analysis, this would cost nearly $23 million in revenue in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
- Amendment 6: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement
- Voting yes would mean there is no more public funding for candidates for statewide office who agree to spending limits. Supporters argue that candidates should not be entitled to tax payer money for campaigns and that this will lower taxes and allocate funds to other important issues.
- Voting no keeps this option in place. Critics argue that public campaign financing levels the playing field for aspiring officeholders that lack political and financial connections.
I also want to highlight that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance of regular screenings and early detection. If you haven’t already done so, please consider scheduling your mammogram this month. Early detection saves lives.
As always, my team and I are here to help with any questions or concerns you may have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 954-956-5600 or HD095@myfloridahouse.gov. If you’re not already receiving our email newsletter, please email us with “subscribe” in the subject line to stay informed about what’s happening in District 95 and beyond. You can also connect with me on social media at Facebook @RepChristineHunschofsky, X @RepHunschofsky, or Instagram @ChrisHunschofsky.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy October!
Christine Hunschofsky
District 95 includes Coconut Creek, Parkland, Margate, and a portion of Coral Springs.
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