Constitutional Amendment No. 1: Collins Center for Public Policy

AT A GLANCE: AMENDMENT 1

Sponsor/Originator: The Florida Legislature

Title on Ballot: Repeal of public campaign financing

requirement

Official Summary: Proposing the repeal of the

provision in the State Constitution that requires

public financing of campaigns of candidates for elective

statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits

What it would do: Amendment 1 would end the

constitutional requirement for taxpayer financing of

political campaigns.

Arguments for: The state is experiencing tight financial

times. It makes no sense to spend taxpayers’ money

to subsidize campaigns when candidates can raise the

money themselves.

Arguments against: The people voted overwhelmingly

for the present public financing requirement 13 years

ago. Public financing reduces the effect of money on

politics and can open the door for candidates to run

without big-money backers.