Will Florida Approve the Property Tax Amendment?

The proposal faces a high threshold: it needs 60% support and, according to a University of North Florida survey, the ballot language can change the outcome.

What Will Florida Vote On?

The measure appears as Amendment 3 or Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes on the November ballot. If it passes, it would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in January 2027, and then to $250,000 in January 2028.

The amendment would also limit local spending to “basic services.” This includes public safety, public education, infrastructure, and natural resource management. In practice, this would change how cities and counties use their property tax revenue.

The plan has political backing in Tallahassee and support from Governor Ron DeSantis. However, it has also prompted resistance from mayors, economists, and local authorities. The main reason is simple: a significant tax break for homeowners could translate into less money for public services.

Why Does Ballot Language Matter?

The University of North Florida surveyed 848 likely voters between July 8 and 17. When asked about the measure without mentioning the fiscal impact, 61% said they supported it. Only 32% opposed it.

But the scenario changed when the question included a warning about a municipal shortfall of approximately $11.8 billion over 2 years. In that case, support dropped 16 points to 45%. Opposition rose to 47%. That leaves the proposal far short of the 60% needed to pass.

Sean Freeder, director of UNF’s opinion lab, said those figures show how much the final text matters. According to him, without the data on budget impact, the measure barely exceeds the threshold. With that data, voters clearly reject it. This contrast explains why the ballot language has become the center of the legal fight.

What Would Cities and Counties Lose?

Florida’s nonpartisan Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimated a $5 billion drop in local revenue in the first year. Then, the effect would rise to $11.8 billion annually after 5 years. This would impact budgets for cities, counties, and essential services.