What You Need to know about: Primary & General Election Ballots Constitutional Amendments Local Referendums

LWV dates back to 1920 Accepted men into the League in 1972 Purpose is to promote good governance

The LWVF is nonpartisan Neither endorses nor opposes any candidate We have over 30 local Leagues We educate and advocate

Floridians vote every 2 years Florida has term limits – Governor and State Legislators Our Legislature meets for only 60 days

We have a hybrid system for selecting judges Unopposed candidates are not listed on the ballot Governor may fill some vacancies

Amending the State Constitution Florida’s Constitution establishes rules and basic rights Ballot amendments are changes to the Constitution In order for an amendment to be adopted, it must be approved by 60% of the vote

There are several ways for an amendment to be placed on the ballot Legislature (3/5 of both Chambers) Citizen Initiative Constitutional Revision Commission Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Constitutional Convention

Amendment 4: On the ballot for August 30, 2016!

Amendment 4: Originated in the Florida Legislature SOLAR DEVICES OR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE DEVICES; EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN TAXATION AND ASSESSMENT.

Ballot Summary Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to exempt from ad valorem taxation the assessed value of solar or renewable energy source devices subject to tangible personal property tax, and to authorize the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit consideration of such devices in assessing the value of real property for ad valorem taxation purposes.

Ballot summary (in plain English) Amendment 4 would allow for a tax exemption for businesses who install solar panels or other renewable energy equipment on their home or business. So, the value of the solar panels would be exempt from both the tangible personal property tax and real property taxes. Currently, the value of renewable energy equipment is only exempt from real property taxes on residential property.

A vote Yes would: Promote the use of more solar energy, both commercial & residential Help Florida homeowners and businesses produce their own electricity Potentially encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy devices

A vote No would: Maintain status quo: – The value of all solar panels and other renewable energy equipment would continue to be subject to tangible personal property tax – The value of solar panels and other renewable energy equipment installed at businesses would continue to be subject to real property taxes – The solar industry would continue to underperform in Florida

Supporting Organizations The Nature Conservancy Florida Retail Federation Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Southern Alliance for Clean Energy The League of Women Voters of Florida The Christian Coalition Conservatives for Energy Freedom Climate Reality Project – and others

Opposing Organizations None at this time

November Ballot Amendments There are four! On ballot—November 8, 2016

Amendment 1: Citizen Initiative Rights of Electricity Consumers re: Solar Energy Source

Ballot Summary Establishes a right under Florida's constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do. The amendment is not expected to result in an increase or decrease in any revenues or costs to state and local government.

A vote Yes would: Establish constitutional rights rather than statutory Create assumption solar power users are subsidized by utility customers

Also-- Would not explicitly prevent Florida consumers from entering into contracts with a third-party solar provider Discontinue net metering Require payment for those who install solar to subsidize large utilities solar expansion

RESULT: Amendment #1 would work against an individual's right to less expensive solar access

A vote No would: Maintain a consumer’s statutory right to own or lease solar equipment on their property to generate electricity for own use Increase the potential for new solar policies to be established to open Florida’s solar market Reduce likelihood of additional charges on solar customers

Supporting Organizations Duke Energy Florida Power & Light Co. Gulf Power Co. Tampa Electric Co. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 60 Plus Association

Opposing Organizations Floridians for Solar Choice EarthJustice Florida Solar Energy Industries Association Southern Alliance for Clean Energy League of Women Voters of Florida Conservatives for Energy Freedom Green Tea Coalition Florida Christian Coalition

Amendment 2: Citizen Initiative Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions

Ballot Summary Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Amendment 2 Need determined by licensed Florida physician Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana The Department of Health: Registration, Regulation & Distribution I.D. cards for patients and caregivers Applies only to Florida residents

Background Failed by narrow margin in 2014 Now more specific about definition of “debilitating”

A vote YES would: Create a constitutional right for people with specific “debilitating” conditions to use marijuana with physician certification Require parental consent Permit caregivers to assist patients with marijuana treatments Caregivers must undergo a background check; not allowed to use marijuana themselves

A vote YES would: Require patients and caregivers to get a state-issued ID Retain state and federal prohibitions on recreational marijuana use Create “medical marijuana treatment centers” Shield physicians from criminal or civil actions for issuing patient certifications

A vote NO would: Not impact current Florida limited medical marijuana laws Not allow patients with debilitating conditions, and not deemed terminally ill, access to medical marijuana as a prescribed treatment by their doctor Have no effect on current laws prohibiting recreational use of marijuana

Supporters/Supporting Organizations John Morgan, Orlando lawyer Florida Democratic Party Service Employees International Union American Civil Liberties Union AFL-CIO

Supporting Organizations Florida NAACP Medical Marijuana of Florida American Federation of State, Counties and Municipal Employees

Opposing Organizations Florida Chamber of Commerce Drug Free Florida Committee

Amendment 3 Originated in the Florida Legislature Tax Exemption for totally & permanently disabled first responders

Ballot Summary: Authorizes a first responder, who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty, to receive relief from ad valorem taxes assessed on homestead property, if authorized by general law

A vote YES would: Authorize the Legislature to grant a property tax exemption on homestead property to first responders who are totally and permanently disabled from injuries sustained in the line of duty Allow the Legislature to decide whether the exemption should provide full or partial relief from property taxes

A vote YES would also: Require a determination that responder’s disability was caused by his or her service in the line of duty. Have an undetermined impact on local property tax revenues.

A vote NO would: Not extend property tax exemptions to first responders who became totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty Not have an impact on local-government tax revenue

Supporting Organizations None at this time Opposing Organizations None at this time

AMENDMENT 5: Originated in the Florida Legislature HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN SENIOR, LOW-INCOME, LONG-TERM RESIDENTS; DETERMINATION OF JUST VALUE

BALLOT SUMMARY Would revise the homestead tax exemption that may be granted by counties or municipalities for property with just value less than $250,000 owned by certain senior, low-income, long-term residents to specify that just value is determined in the first tax year the owner applies and is eligible for the exemption. Would apply retroactively to exemptions granted before January 1, 2017.

A vote YES would: Ensure low-income seniors qualified for city- or county-approved property tax exemption do not lose that exemption if the value of their home exceeds the $250,000 limit Retroactive to include seniors who received the exemption starting in 2013

A vote YES would also: Cost to city and counties who grant exemption $2,3 million ; $500, $4.2 million

A vote NO would: Retain property tax exemption for low- income seniors Not provide retroactive tax relief Not cost cities and counties additional revenue

Supporting Organizations None at this time Opposing Organizations: None at this time

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Important Dates Primary Election: August 30, 2016 Last day to register: August 1, 2016 General Election: November 8, 2016 Last day to register: October 11, 2016

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