Amendments and ballot measures
Ballot titles and summaries are reproduced word for word from the linked sources.
Statewide amendments
Amendment 1 (Art. III, s. 19)
- Official ballot title
- BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND
- Official ballot summary
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require the legislature to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to reach 25% of the general revenue collections each year unless certain conditions are met, and allow the legislature to withdraw funds for critical state needs.
- Financial impact
- No financial impact statement appears in the Florida Department of State's official 2026 amendment booklet or on the official ballot for this Legislature-referred amendment.
In plain words (not official): We wrote this to help explain the official ballot language above. It is not the official ballot summary, may leave out details, and does not support or oppose this measure. Only the official title and summary above appear on your ballot.
Florida has a savings fund called the budget stabilization fund. The state can use it to cover a money shortfall or an emergency. Today the fund can hold up to 10% of what the state's general fund took in the year before. This change raises that limit to 25%.
A YES vote means the limit rises to 25%. Each year the Legislature must add $750 million, or less if that fills the fund to 25%. Set rules let it skip a year or take money out for a critical state need.
A NO vote means the limit stays at 10%. The Legislature has no yearly duty to add money. It gets no new way to take money out for a critical state need.
Needs at least 60% of the votes cast on this amendment to pass (Fla. Const. Art. XI, s. 5(e)).
Source: Source
Amendment 2 (Art. VII, s. 3; Art. XII)
- Official ballot title
- EXEMPTION OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY ON AGRICULTURAL LAND FROM TAXATION
- Official ballot summary
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to exempt tangible personal property habitually located or typically present on land classified as agricultural, used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities, and owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land from ad valorem taxation. If approved this amendment would first apply for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
- Financial impact
- No financial impact statement appears in the Florida Department of State's official 2026 amendment booklet or on the official ballot for this Legislature-referred amendment.
In plain words (not official): We wrote this to help explain the official ballot language above. It is not the official ballot summary, may leave out details, and does not support or oppose this measure. Only the official title and summary above appear on your ballot.
This change makes some property you can move, such as farm items, free from property tax. Property tax is a tax based on what property is worth. To count, the items must usually be kept on land officially classified as agricultural (farm) land. They must be used to grow farm products or for farm tourism. They must also be owned by the person who owns or rents that land.
A YES vote means these farm items are free from property tax starting with the 2027 tax year. The Legislature sets the rules and definitions.
A NO vote means these farm items stay under today's property tax rules. This new tax exemption is not added to the state constitution.
Needs at least 60% of the votes cast on this amendment to pass (Fla. Const. Art. XI, s. 5(e)).
Source: Source
Amendment 3 (Art. VII, ss. 4, 6, and 9; Art. XII)
- Official ballot title
- INCREASED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION; LOWER CAP ON INCREASES IN NON-HOMESTEAD PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS
- Official ballot summary
This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same.
Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution.
This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%.
This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes.
This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.
- Financial impact
- No financial impact statement appears in the Florida Department of State's official 2026 amendment booklet or on the official ballot for this Legislature-referred amendment.
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the full text: https://files.floridados.gov/media/711369/eng-2026-booklet-constitutional-amendpub-updated-20260903.pdf.
Needs at least 60% of the votes cast on this amendment to pass (Fla. Const. Art. XI, s. 5(e)).
Source: Source
County measures
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Referendum No. 1
- Official ballot title
- Providing for an Elected, Rather than an Appointed, Superintendent of Schools
- Official ballot summary
Shall Chapter 2026-196, Laws of Florida, which provides that the Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools shall no longer be appointed by the School Board, but shall be elected in a partisan election for a term of 4 years, beginning with the 2028 general election, become effective?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
In plain words (not official): We wrote this to help explain the official ballot language above. It is not the official ballot summary, may leave out details, and does not support or oppose this measure. Only the official title and summary above appear on your ballot.
Right now the Hillsborough County School Board picks the head of the school district, called the Superintendent of Schools. A state law passed in 2026 would change that so voters elect the Superintendent instead. That law only takes effect if voters say yes.
A YES vote means the law takes effect. Hillsborough County voters will elect the Superintendent for a 4-year term, starting with the 2028 general election. Candidates will run with a party label.
A NO vote means the law does not take effect. The School Board keeps choosing the Superintendent, as it does today.
Source: Source
Hillsborough County Referendum No. 2
- Official ballot title
- Amending the County Charter to Increase Number of County Commissioners, All Elected From Single-Member Districts
- Official ballot summary
Shall the Hillsborough County Charter be amended to increase the number of members of board of county commissioners from 7 to 9 members, with an increase to 11 members once the county has a population of at least 2,500,000, require all county commissioners to be elected to office from single-member districts by electors residing in each of those districts only?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
In plain words (not official): We wrote this to help explain the official ballot language above. It is not the official ballot summary, may leave out details, and does not support or oppose this measure. Only the official title and summary above appear on your ballot.
Hillsborough County has 7 county commissioners. They make county laws. Today 4 are elected by voters in one district, and 3 by voters in the whole county. This change makes the board 9 members. It grows to 11 once a census counts at least 2,500,000 people in the county. Every member would be elected only by voters in their own district. The same law also changes some related charter rules. These include how many votes some board decisions need, how charter review board members are picked, and petition rules for charter changes.
A YES vote means the charter changes to 9 commissioners, or 11 once the county reaches 2,500,000 people. All are elected by district, with new lines due by October 1, 2027.
A NO vote means the charter stays the same. It keeps 7 commissioners: four elected by district and three elected countywide.
Source: Source
Hillsborough County Referendum No. 3
- Official ballot title
- One-Half Cent Sales Surtax for Public School Air Conditioning and Capital Improvements
- Official ballot summary
Shall a one-half cent school capital outlay sales surtax be continued for a ten (10) year levy by the School Board of Hillsborough County beginning January 1, 2029, to fund air conditioning replacement and repairs, capital improvements and construction of other schools, building enhancements for school security and other maintenance needs?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
In plain words (not official): We wrote this to help explain the official ballot language above. It is not the official ballot summary, may leave out details, and does not support or oppose this measure. Only the official title and summary above appear on your ballot.
A sales surtax is an extra tax added to what you pay when you buy things. This asks if the School Board can keep a half-cent sales tax for 10 more years. It would run from January 1, 2029, through December 31, 2038. The money can pay for school buildings, like air conditioning, repairs, new schools, security and technology. It can also pay off school bonds. Some of the money must be shared with eligible charter schools. The School Board could end or lower the tax early without another vote.
A vote "For the one-half cent tax" means the School Board may collect the tax from 2029 through 2038 for the listed school building uses.
A vote "Against the one-half cent tax" means the School Board does not get voter approval to collect the tax from 2029 through 2038.
Source: Source
Pasco County
School Board of Pasco County Millage Election
- Official ballot title
- School Board of Pasco County Millage Election for Public School Students
- Official ballot summary
To continue to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers and non-administrator support employees, and to also enhance school safety, shall the School Board continue to levy an annual ad valorem operating millage of up to one mil beginning July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2031, sharing funds proportionately, as received, with those public schools within the district as described in and as required by F.S. 1011.71(9), with annual usage reporting to Pasco taxpayers?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.pascovotes.gov/elections/sample_ballots.php.
Source: Source
Local measures
Pinellas County
Town of Belleair No. 1 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Removing the Requirement the Town Commission Appoint a Planning and Zoning Board
- Official ballot summary
Shall Section 5.04 of the Charter for the Town of Belleair be amended to remove the requirement that the Town Commission appoint a planning and zoning board because the language is unnecessary since Florida law requires the Town to appoint a local planning agency?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
Town of Belleair No. 2 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Amending the Month the Charter Review Committee is Established
- Official ballot summary
Shall Section 10.01 of the Charter for the Town of Belleair be amended to change the month the Charter Review Committee is established from June to May beginning in 2036 thereby providing the Charter Review Committee sufficient time to perform its duties and provide the Town with the time necessary to meet Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections deadlines allowing proposed amendments to be on the ballot for the general election the following November?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of Largo Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Change of Date when Petitions for Candidates for Mayor and City Commission are First Available
- Official ballot summary
Shall section 7.02(a) of the City of Largo Charter be amended to change the date that petitions for candidates for Mayor and City Commission are first available to March 15 of each year of a regular city election, or a date selected by the City Commission for a special election, all as more fully described in Ordinance No. 2025-24?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of Madeira Beach No. 1 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Change Municipal Election Date from March to November
- Official ballot summary
Shall the City of Madeira Beach Charter be amended to change the date of regular municipal elections from March to November, so City elections occur in conjunction with the State General Election?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of Madeira Beach No. 2 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Change Candidate Qualifying Period from December to June
- Official ballot summary
Shall the City of Madeira Beach Charter be amended to change the municipal candidate qualifying period from the first two full weeks in December, excluding weekends, to the first two full weeks in June, excluding weekends, to align with the revised November Municipal General Election schedule?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of Madeira Beach No. 3 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Extend Terms of Elected Officials to Implement November Elections
- Official ballot summary
Shall the City Charter be amended to temporarily extend the terms of Commissioner District 3 and Commissioner District 4 until certification of the November 2027 election results; and the terms of Commissioner District 1, Commissioner District 2, and Mayor-Commissioner until certification of the November 2028 election results in order to implement the transition from March Municipal Elections to November Municipal General Elections?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
Town of Redington Shores No. 1 Referendum Question
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Commissioners’ Term of Office
- Official ballot summary
Charter section 5 currently provides that the term of office for a Commissioner is two years. Should section 5 of the Charter be amended to convert terms of the Commissioners to three years?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
In plain words (not official): We wrote this to help explain the official ballot language above. It is not the official ballot summary, may leave out details, and does not support or oppose this measure. Only the official title and summary above appear on your ballot.
In Redington Shores, a district commissioner now serves a two-year term. This change makes those terms three years. Districts 2 and 4 would start three-year terms at the town's 2027 general election. Districts 1 and 3 would start at its 2028 general election.
A YES vote means the town charter, the town's main rulebook, changes district commissioner terms from two years to three years.
A NO vote means the town charter, the town's main rulebook, keeps district commissioner terms at two years.
Source: Source
Town of Redington Shores No. 2 Referendum Question
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Mayoral 2027 Term of Office
- Official ballot summary
Charter section 5 currently provides that the term of office for the Mayor is three years. If Referendum Question No. 1 passes extending the term of office for a Commissioner to three years should the Charter be amended to provide the term of office for the Mayor following the 2027 General Election only be two years to maintain staggered terms of office for the Mayor and Commissioners?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the full text: https://townofredingtonshores.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ORD-2026-01-Change-Commissioners-Mayor-Term-Length.pdf.
Source: Source
City of St. Petersburg No. 1 Referendum Question
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Stormwater, Wastewater and/or Potable Water Improvements General Obligation Bond Referendum
- Official ballot summary
Shall the City finance storm resilience improvements, including but not limited to, floodwater protection, stormwater pump stations, drainage infrastructure, as well as wastewater collection and treatment facilities, drinking water distribution and supply facilities, by issuing general obligation bonds in one or more series, not exceeding $600,000,000, bearing interest not exceeding maximum legal rates, maturing not more than 30 years from each issuance date, pledging the City's full faith, credit, and unlimited ad valorem taxing power?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of St. Petersburg No. 1 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Removing City-Owned Vacant Lots from Park and Waterfront Map to Create Housing
- Official ballot summary
The City Charter Park and Waterfront Map contains a composite parcel identified as “Jamestown” composed of: Unity Park, recreational open space within Jamestown apartments, and nine City-owned lots in the adjacent neighborhood that are vacant and closed to the public. Shall the City Charter be amended to remove those nine vacant lots from the Map to allow subsequent / separate land use changes and potential sale of those lots for affordable or workforce housing?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of St. Petersburg No. 2 Referendum Question
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Authorizing Amendment of Harborage Marina Lease to Extend Term to 30 Years and Require Improvements
- Official ballot summary
May City Council approve amendment of the lease of City-owned submerged lands at Harborage Marina subject to conditions in ordinance 640-H? Such amendment would extend the term of the lease to 30 years and require the tenant to construct new improvements at no cost to the City, including 200 linear feet of docks, boat lifts, and expanded restrooms. Those improvements would be owned by the City at the end of the lease.
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of St. Petersburg No. 2 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Authorizing a 25-year Lease Limitation for the Port of St. Petersburg
- Official ballot summary
The City Charter currently limits leases at the Port of St. Petersburg to 10 years without approval by citywide referendum. Shall the Charter be amended to increase that limitation to 25 years? That amendment would make the Port consistent with adjacent Albert Whitted Airport and provide the City with additional flexibility to enter into agreements with private entities for redevelopment of Port facilities. That amendment would not change the permitted use of the Port.
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of St. Petersburg No. 3 Charter Amendment
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Technical, Clarifying, and Conforming Changes to Effectuate Holding Municipal Elections in Even-Numbered Years
- Official ballot summary
In 2022, voters in a citywide referendum approved amendment of the City Charter to reschedule elections for Mayor and Council Members to even-numbered years so that City elections would align with national and state elections beginning in 2024. Shall the Charter be amended to make technical, clarifying, and conforming changes necessary and appropriate to fully effectuate the intent of the 2022 referendum, including alignment of the Charter-review process with the current election schedule?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
City of Treasure Island Referendum Question
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Shall Charter be Amended Requiring Four Commissioners’ Approval for Planned Developments or Special Area Plans
- Official ballot summary
Shall the Treasure Island City Charter Section 3.07(c) be amended to require that “a supermajority vote of four members of the board of commissioners shall be required for the approval of any planned developments or special area plans?” This provision will become effective immediately upon approval by the electors or as otherwise provided by law.
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votepinellas.gov/382/November-3-2026-General-Election-Informa.
Source: Source
Hillsborough County
Country Run Special Tax District Referendum
Only on some ballots, check your sample ballot.
- Official ballot title
- Referendum to Increase the Special Assessment of Country Run Special District from $50 to $75
- Official ballot summary
In order to continue existing and future maintenance needs, shall the Board of Trustees of Country Run Special Tax District increase the future assessed tax from $50 to $75 and authorize at their discretion to increase the tax by $25 per year in subsequent years, not to exceed $200?
- Financial impact
- Not listed
- Full text
- Coming soon
Plain-language explanation not available for this measure. Read the official ballot question: https://www.votehillsborough.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2615/2026-General-Election-All-Races-Sample-Ballot-PDF.
Source: Source
Questions
When does my mail ballot have to arrive?
Mail ballots must be RECEIVED by the Supervisor of Elections by 7:00 PM on Election Day, November 3, 2026. A postmark does not count.
When is Election Day?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM local time.
Can I still register to vote for this election?
No. The deadline to register for this election has passed (October 5, 2026).
When is early voting in Pinellas County?
Monday, October 19, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily.
When is early voting in Hillsborough County?
Monday, October 19, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily.
When is early voting in Pasco County?
Monday, October 19, 2026 through Saturday, October 31, 2026, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily.