The residents of Florida on three state constitutional amendments and dozens of local proposals in counties and municipalities across the state, in an election that also determined the governorship and other key public offices.
The most significant outcome at the state level was the approval of Amendment 3, the only one of the three constitutional amendments that exceeded the required 60% threshold to modify the Constitution of Florida.
Amendment 3, promoted by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, received 61.99% of the votes —4,917,482 in favor and 3,015,840 against, according to preliminary results from the Florida Division of Elections— and represents the most significant housing tax reform in the state in recent years.
The measure expands the property tax exemption for primary residences: it will increase from the current $50,000 to $150,000 starting January 1, 2027, and to $250,000 from January 1, 2028, with subsequent adjustments linked to inflation.
The taxes allocated to finance public school districts are not affected by the reform and will continue to be applied.
According to estimates from Florida TaxWatch, the annual savings for eligible homeowners could reach approximately $1,035 in 2027 and $2,085 in 2028, with a non-school tax rate of 10.5 mills representing the state average.
The counterpoint is a significant reduction in revenue for local governments: legislative projections estimate losses of around 4.6 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2027-2028 and 8.4 billion in 2028-2029.
Only in Miami-Dade, the county could stop collecting between 385.8 and 696.7 million dollars annually, which, as warned by the county administration, could affect services such as fire departments, libraries, roads, parks, and public transport.
The other two amendments were rejected
The Amendment 1, which proposed raising the constitutional limit of the state's budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25%, was rejected with 59.10% of the votes against it.
The Amendment 2, regarding tax exemptions for equipment and goods used in agricultural properties and agrotourism activities, had a notable outcome: it garnered 58.22% support —a simple majority— but did not reach the 60% required to amend the state constitution and was therefore also rejected.
Featured local results
In Miami-Dade, six out of the seven local referendums put to vote were approved, including the renewal of the one-mill school tax, which received 81.8% support and will generate approximately $569.5 million annually for the county public schools.
The city of Miami approved with 60.94% the issuance of up to 450 million dollars in bonds to modernize police, fire, and rescue facilities.
In St. Petersburg (Pinellas County), 73.94% of voters supported the issuance of up to 600 million dollars in bonds for flood protection works, drainage, and improvements to drinking water and sewage systems.
In Hillsborough County (Tampa), all three local proposals were approved, including the direct election of the school superintendent —with 58.10% support and the first election scheduled for 2028— and the ten-year renewal of the half-cent sales tax for school facility improvements.
In Broward, voters renewed the school tax of one mill with 66.56% support, generating approximately 358 million dollars annually for teachers, school safety, and student mental health through the 2030-31 school year.
In Duval County (Jacksonville), approximately 76% of voters renewed the school tax of one mill for four years, covering the period from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2031.
The tax reduction for homeowners will begin to be implemented gradually starting in 2027, although its specific effects will depend on the taxable value of each property and the exemptions to which the owner is entitled.
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