Gov. DeSantis says Florida will move forward with a rewritten ballot title and summary for Amendment 3 after a Leon County judge ruled the original language was misleading and overly promotional. Rather than appeal the decision, the state will have Attorney General James Uthmeier draft new language that addresses the court’s concerns while preserving the measure for the November ballot.
The proposed constitutional amendment would raise Florida’s homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and then to $250,000 in 2028, a change supporters describe as one of the largest property tax relief efforts in state history.
DeSantis said revised language prepared by the Attorney General’s Office clearly explains the amendment’s purpose and resolves the deficiencies identified by the court. He predicted voters will easily understand that the proposal would expand the homestead exemption if approved.
Judge David Frank concluded the original ballot title and summary crossed the line from explanation into advocacy, criticizing phrases he said promoted the amendment rather than neutrally describing its effect. The Attorney General has 10 days to submit revised language.
Meanwhile, opposition continues to build among cities, counties, firefighters and law enforcement organizations, which warn the proposal could significantly reduce local government revenue and threaten funding for public safety and other essential services.
Although lawmakers altered key pieces of his original proposal, DeSantis reaffirmed his support, calling it historic tax relief. He said he will vote for the amendment but does not plan to lead a political campaign on its behalf under Florida’s updated restrictions on public spending related to ballot initiatives.