“There are naïve questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the world. There is no such thing as a dumb question.”
Carl Sagan is not just talking about science here. We can apply this to politics and elections, too. So if you have questions, Monday is a great time to get them answered.
Recommended Videos
Hey guys, it’s Christie Zizo, always willing to point people asking questions in the direction of the answers.
And on Monday, News 6 has an opportunity for you.
News 6 Voter Registration Phone Bank Monday
On Monday, Feb. 5, News 6 will host a Voter Registration Phone Bank from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers from county supervisors of elections offices throughout the Central Florida area will be at our studios to man the phones, register people to vote and help answer their questions.
You can call in at 888-436-6665.
The first major contest is the Republican Presidential Preference Primary on March 19. The deadline to register to vote is Feb. 20.
That’s also the deadline to change your party affiliation so you can vote in the Republican primary if you wish. Florida is a closed primary state, which means you must be a member of a political party to vote in that party’s primary.
Plus, if you want to vote by mail at all this year, our volunteers will be able to help answer your questions about requesting a vote-by-mail ballot.
Have an election question you need answered at any time? Email me at czizo@wkmg.com.
City and town elections are happening in March
We know that March 19 is the Florida Presidential Preference Primary. There won’t be a Democratic Party primary. There might be a Republican Party primary, no matter who is left actively campaigning.
But there will be city elections on Tuesday, March 19.
Elections were expected in nine Central Florida cities and towns on March 19, but only 7 municipalities had enough qualified candidates to hold elections.
The majority of these seats are council or commission seat races. They are open to all eligible voters in those areas.
The cities having local elections on March 19 are:
- Flagler Beach: One city commission seat
- Apopka: Two city council seats
- Eatonville: Two town council seats
- Oakland: Town mayor
- Ocoee: One city council seat and 13 charter amendment ballot questions
- Winter Garden: Two city commission seats
- Winter Park: Mayor, city commission
Learn who is running in those elections, and how to vote, HERE.
Key 2024 Election Dates
Here are the big Election Dates for Florida. Put these in your schedule to remember:
Florida Presidential Preference Primary: March 19
- Register to vote deadline: Feb. 20
- Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: March 7
Only a Republican primary, no Democratic primary this go around. However, there will be elections for residents of certain cities and towns. We are working on getting a list together and I’ll send out another newsletter when I have it.
2024 Florida Statewide Primary Election: Aug. 20
- Register to vote deadline: July 22
- Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Aug. 8
If there are any party primaries for federal, state or local races, they will happen here. Also, any nonpartisan county races will happen here.
2024 General Election: Nov. 5
- Register to vote deadline: Oct. 7
- Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Oct. 24
This one’s for all the marbles. All voters welcome.
How many voters does it take to pass an amendment?
Before 2006, a constitutional amendment in Florida only needed at least 50% approval from voters to pass, a simple majority.
Then in 2006, voters approved an amendment to the constitution that raised the threshold to pass a measure to 60% voter approval.
It passed with almost 58% of the vote.
That irony should not be lost on any voter this year, because a proposed constitutional amendment in the Florida House would ask voters to raise the threshold again: to 66.67%.
The sponsor of HJR 335, State Rep. Rick Roth, R-West Palm Beach, says raising the threshold is the best way to make sure everyone understands a new constitutional amendment before they vote on it.
“A lot of times, campaigns do not really go with the facts,” Roth said. “They go with what they want you to feel, in order to get you to support the amendment. So, we just want to make sure that everybody understands what an amendment is really trying to do and that it will solve the problems we are trying to solve.”
Let’s consider some of the constitutional amendments that voters have passed in recent years:
- 2010 Congressional redistricting amendment: 62.93%
- 2010 Legislative redistricting amendment: 62.59%
- 2016 Medical Marijuana amendment: 71%
- 2018 Voting Rights Restoration amendment: 64.55%
- 2020 $15 minimum wage amendment: 60.82%
These were all very big and popular amendments in their elections. How many of them would have gotten through a 66.67% threshold?
Critics say HJR 335 is needed because Florida’s government politicians often don’t listen to constituents about what they want the government to do, so citizens’ initiatives, like the ones above, are crucial.
But what do you think? Is 60% a large enough threshold for voters to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida? Sound off by sending me an email at czizo@wkmg.com.
Have election questions? We have answers
Have an election question you need answered? Email me at czizo@wkmg.com.