DeSantis Urges Florida Republicans to Vote Early as Amendment 3 Faces 44% Support

Ron DeSantis spent nearly half of a Wednesday press conference in Crystal River arguing for Amendment 3, a statewide ballot measure that would reduce property taxes for homeowners. The governor made this push while officially announcing that his administration would provide an additional $100 million for 45 projects aimed at restoring and protecting Florida’s water resources. With six days remaining until Election Day, recent polling suggests the measure is at risk of failing to reach the 60% approval rate required for passage.

A survey released Wednesday by St. Pete Polls found that 44% of respondents support the proposal, 39% oppose it, and 17% remain unsure. A separate poll from the University of North Florida released last week showed 50% support. Both figures fall well below the constitutional threshold. DeSantis has been the primary advocate for the tax cut for more than a year and a half, though he initially withheld his support after the Republican-controlled Legislature altered his original language in June. He has since reversed that stance and is actively promoting the measure, though he has not yet aired campaign ads.

On Monday, the governor held a roundtable with U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson to discuss the proposal. He reiterated his support on Wednesday as the event aired on the Florida Channel. Opponents, including state economists, warn that the measure would cut local government revenue by $5 billion in its first year and up to $12 billion annually once fully implemented. They fear these cuts will force serious budget reductions across the state.

DeSantis countered that local governments can absorb the loss because property tax collections have grown faster than inflation and population growth. He noted that localities collected $32 billion in property taxes in 2019 and now receive $62 billion. “My question is for those who say that we won’t have any services if Amendment 3 passes, did we not have services in 2019?” DeSantis asked. “So, don’t tell me we can’t give our homesteaders a relief. We can do it. One hundred percent.”

Law enforcement groups have joined the opposition. Jennifer “Cookie” Pritt, executive director of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, spoke at a press conference in Jacksonville on Wednesday. “Before you vote, ask yourself one question: Where will the money for your local police come from?” Pritt said. “If no one can give you a straight answer, that tells you what you need to know about Amendment 3.”

The governor proposed working with the Legislature to create a grant fund for fiscally strained communities, such as those in the Tampa Bay area, to cover critical needs like hiring police officers. However, lawmakers previously rejected a similar trust fund provision in the original bill. There is no assurance they will agree to a new fund in the two months remaining in DeSantis’s term. The Republican Party of Florida has endorsed the measure, while the Florida Democratic Party opposes it.

Campaign spending favors the pro-Amendment 3 side. A political committee formed by the Florida Realtors has raised more than $21.5 million, according to state records. The two committees opposing the measure, Floridians for Shared Prosperity and Vote No on 3 Florida, have raised a combined $1.3 million. DeSantis expressed concern that Republican turnout has not been as strong as desired in early voting. More than 3.7 million Floridians have voted so far, with registered Republicans leading registered Democrats by 1.2 percentage points, 40.2% to 39%, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.