Nonpartisan 'good government' group urges voters to kill Amendment 6, keep public campaign funding intact

Florida’s Amendment 3 on cannabis and Amendment 4 on abortion have understandably taken up a lot of attention this election cycle. But a state nonpartisan group is highlighting another proposal on the General Election deserving of voters’ attention — and rejection: Amendment 6.

If passed, Amendment 6 would repeal Article VI, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution, which requires the state to have a public financing program for Governor and Cabinet candidates who agree to spending limits.

The program is meant to incentivize old-fashioned campaign fundraising and candidate-voter engagement by providing matching dollars for donations individual Florida residents make of $250 or less. To tap those funds, the candidates must agree to cap their spending, personal campaign loans and contributions from political parties. They must also opt into having a post-election audit of their books.

Amendment 6 — which was placed on the ballot by state lawmakers, not by voters — will kill the long-standing constitutional provision that provides for the program.

“This program helps to limit campaign spending, makes constituents more important to campaigns, and it makes it possible for non-billionaires to run for statewide office,” said Amy Keith, Director of the nonpartisan Common Cause Florida group that formed an effort called Floridians for Open Democracy aimed at defeating Amendment 6.



https://floridapolitics.com/archives/705335-nonpartisan-good-government-group-urges-voters-to-kill-amendment-6-keep-public-campaign-funding-intact/