
Voters in Belleair, Florida, approved a charter amendment to require an unanimous vote of the town commission to abolish a municipal department. The charter amendment also requires a unanimous vote, which must be done by ordinance, to abolish the police department. The ballot measure required that actions to abolish the police department be passed by…

In Florida politics, state-level candidates and political action committees have received $434.1 million in total donations between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. The 10 largest donors gave more than $9.8 million, or 2 percent of all contributions. These are the top 10 individual donors to Florida state-level candidates and political action committees (PACs)…

The Florida State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment to the November ballot that would allow for an additional homestead property tax exemption on $50,000 of assessed value on property owned by certain public service workers, including teachers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, active duty members of the military and Florida National Guard, and child…

Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political entities may contribute to campaigns. While campaign finance is not the only factor in electoral outcomes, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages during a campaign.…

Campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations, and political entities may contribute to campaigns. While campaign finance is not the only factor in electoral outcomes, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages during a campaign.…

Florida enacted new state legislative districts on March 3, 2022, when the Florida Supreme Court approved a proposal passed by both legislative chambers. The maps will take effect for Florida’s 2022 state legislative elections. On Jan. 20, the Florida Senate passed a joint resolution including both state House and Senate maps in a 34-3 vote.…

Two ballot measures in Florida concerning sports betting (sponsored by Florida Education Champions) and additional casinos (sponsored by Florida Voters in Charge) failed to qualify for the 2022 ballot. Each initiative needed 891,589 signatures to be validated by county elections officials by Feb. 1. Florida also has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures…

Florida Education Champions, sponsors of a sports betting initiative, have submitted 194,287 valid signatures as of Dec. 17. The measure would authorize sports betting at sports venues, pari-mutuel facilities, and online in Florida. The Florida State Legislature would need to pass legislation to implement the constitutional amendment such as providing for licensing, regulation, consumer protection,…

A special general election was held on Dec. 7 for the at-large Group 3 seat on the Jacksonville City Council. According to unofficial results, Tracye Polson (D) received 36.7% of the vote, and Nick Howland (R) received 35.9% of the vote. The other two candidates in the race, James Jacobs (D) and Howland Russell (R),…

The special general election for Jacksonville City Council At-large Position 3 in Florida is on Dec. 7. Four candidates are competing in the general election: James Jacobs (D), Tracye Polson (D), Nick Howland (R), and Howland Russell (R). If necessary, a runoff election is scheduled for Feb. 22. The filing deadline to run passed on…