In a decision issued on August 4, 2026, Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled that the ballot title and summary for Florida’s Amendment 3 (a constitutional amendment aimed at significantly cutting property taxes) fail to comply with state law and must be rewritten before the November general election.
The ruling does not strike the amendment itself from the ballot; rather, it targets the language designed to explain the measure to voters.
Key Reasons for the Ruling
- Use of Political Slogans over Neutral DescriptionJudge Frank found that the proposed title, “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes,” functioned “more akin to a political slogan” than a fair and neutral statement. He noted that under long-standing Florida Supreme Court precedent, rhetoric like the word “save” is designed to elicit emotional responses rather than inform voters neutrally.
- Misleading Borrowing of Brand NamesThe title invoked “Save Our Homes,” which references Florida’s popular 1992 constitutional assessment cap. The judge ruled that using this phrase could mislead voters into believing they were reaffirming that existing provision, which the new amendment does not alter.
- Advocacy in the Ballot SummaryThe ruling criticized several phrases in the summary—such as “Ensuring funding for core services,” “Protecting small businesses,” and “Ensuring fairness for Florida residents”—as political taglines and campaign advocacy rather than clear legal explanations. The judge pointed out that the amendment does not actively ensure funding for local core services (and might actually reduce local municipal revenues) nor does it mention small businesses directly in its legal text.
- Inaccurate Scope TimelineThe summary claimed to exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value, but the actual amendment scales this up over time—offering a $150,000 exemption in 2027 and reaching $250,000 in 2028.
What the Amendment Does
If approved by at least 60% of voters in November, the proposed constitutional amendment would:
- Increase the homestead property tax exemption for primary residences from the current $50,000 up to $150,000 in 2027, and $250,000 in 2028.
- Cap annual assessment increases on non-homestead properties (like commercial real estate) from 10% down to 5%.
- Restrict local government uses of remaining property tax revenue strictly to core public needs.
What Happens Next
- 10-Day Rewrite Period: The court ordered Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to submit a revised, compliant ballot title and summary within 10 days to Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
- Challenge Window: Once submitted, any party will have a 10-day window to legally challenge the revised wording.
- Appeal Option: The state may appeal the ruling, though election officials face tight deadlines to finalize ballot language by the end of August ahead of print deadlines.
Official Voter & Election Resources
To track the updated ballot wording, view voter guides, or locate your local supervisor of elections office, refer to the following official resources:
- Check the official Florida Division of Elections Constitutional Amendments Directory for updated titles, full texts, and official summaries.
- Find contact information and localized ballot information through the Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections Directory.
- Verify your voter registration status and local precinct information using the Florida Voter Information Lookup Portal.
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