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

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

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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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.

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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.

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

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

26. Opposing Organizations Florida Chamber of Commerce Drug Free Florida Committee Florida Medical Association

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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.

32. 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

33. Supporting Organizations None at this time Opposing Organizations None at this time

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

35. 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.

36. 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

37. Factors Effecting Reduction of Revenue All municipalities do not grant the exemption Future number of requestors is unknown Estimates range from $500,000 to $1,200,000

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

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

40. BeReadytoVote.org Check/update your registration status Get important voter information Don’t miss a single election!

41. We can help today with: Voter Registration Vote by Mail Applications Address changes Signature Updates Party affiliation

42. Important Dates Last day to register: October 11, 2016 General Election: November 8, 2016

43. Join Your Fellow Floridians-- TAKE THE PLEDGE TO VOTE! There are 3 ways to vote: – By Mail – Early – At your precinct on Election Day For more information, please visit our website: www.BeReadyToVote.org In Spanish: www.vamosavotar.org