MIAMI - Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, gave her recommendations Monday for the six amendments on Florida's general election ballot on Nov. 5, which included support for legalizing marijuana and protecting abortion rights.
Gantt suggested voting 'YES' on Amendments 3 and Amendment 4, two of the state's most polarizing and talked about ballot initiatives. Specifically, Amendment 3 would legalize the use of recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21 while Amendment 4 would enshrine abortion rights into Florida's constitution.
She also proposed voting 'NO' on Amendment 1, Amendment 2, Amendment 5, and Amendment 6. Of which, Amendment 1 would keep school board elections nonpartisan while Amendment 2 would not change lawmakers' ability to place restrictions on hunting and fishing activities.
Furthermore, Amendment 5 would keep Florida's current homestead exemptions in place that automatically raises taxes as property values rise from inflation while Amendment 6 would keep public financing in place for some candidates running for statewide office.
Elected in 2022, Gantt's District 109 includes Opa-Locka and Allapattah in Miami-Dade County. She currently is running for reelection on November's ballot unopposed.
Florida Democrats have called the state's 6-week abortion law 'restrictive' and 'extreme', which they say triggered Amendment 4 onto November's ballot. They also blamed Gov. Ron DeSantis from pivoting from the state's 15-week ban to the current law.
DeSantis warned against Amendment 4 in September, saying its "built on fraud" and a "bait and switch." He also expressed his opposition to Amendment 3, arguing the state would "start to smell like marijuana."
However, former President Donald Trump indicated his support for the amendment on Truth Social. It also is being supported by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota.
In order to pass under Florida law, Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 must receive more than 60% of the vote.
