No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 - All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet

Summary

This amendment would allow all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet, regardless of their political party affiliation, thereby changing Florida’s primary elections from a closed election to a top-two open primary. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, will appear on the same primary ballot. The two highest vote getters will advance to general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held and the winner is determined in the general election. Candidate's party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024.

A "YES" vote on amendment 3 is a vote in support of changing Florida’s primary elections from a closed election to a top-two open primary where all candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, will appear on the same primary ballot.

A "NO" vote on amendment 3 is a vote in opposition to changing Florida’s primary elections from a closed election to a top-two open primary where all candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, will appear on the same primary ballot, thus maintaining Florida's current election system where closed primaries are held by each party.

Arguments

"Florida is among only a handful of states that do not allow all qualified voters to participate in primaries. How backwards is this? Almost a third of voters are registered as neither Democrats nor Republicans. I believe our nation’s founding principles provide that all who register should be able to vote. While three-quarters of all Americans support immigration reform, this wish is not represented by the majority of those currently in public office. Before us is the opportunity to create a more representative process. That would give voters the ability to choose elected officials who want change on how we treat immigrants.", in support of No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 (Learn more)

"For the first time in decades, the voters of Florida will have the chance to decide for themselves whether to let all voters vote. Not surprisingly, the Democrat and Republican Parties don’t want them to have that choice. Leadership of both parties has attacked the campaign and filed court papers to sabotage it, declaring that it 'confuses voters,' and 'takes away voter choice.' Make no mistake, they are united against letting the voters decide.", in support of No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 (Learn more)

"The vast majority of races in Florida are decided in the closed party primaries—which excludes most voters. Those closed primaries are decided by the small, extreme wings of each party. Because of this, our elected leaders no longer have to answer to the majority of people, but only to a very small group of hyper-partisan voters. By giving all voters a chance to vote, politicians will become answerable to the majority of voters, not just a select few.", in support of No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 (Learn more)

"It is our belief that Top Two Open Primaries would have a strong adverse impact on African-American representation in Florida. Our position is to support an Open Primary system that would allow for the broadest possible voter participation. The League of Women Voters of Florida is very much in support of Open Primaries and would wholeheartedly support this measure if it were not tied to Top Two. We are hopeful and will continue to advocate for a future Open Primary opportunity that will enfranchise Florida’s NPA voters and those who belong to nontraditional parties in our primary process." , in opposition to No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 (Learn more)

"An unforeseen outcome of this proposal is the loss of minority representation in both legislative chambers. ... Under Amendment 3, both electoral access and representation of people of color would be all but erased. ... \[t]he inclusion of Republican and independent voters in a Black majority district would allow white Democratic candidates the opportunity to defeat a Black Democrat in the context of a larger general election electorate. ... The amendment would all but eliminate third parties from competing in the November general election.", in opposition to No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 (Learn more)

"We don’t feel that it’s right that Democrats help choose our nominee in the primary and I don’t think the Democrats would like Republicans helping to choose their nominee in primaries. That’s akin to McDonald’s helping to choose the menu items for Burger King.", in opposition to No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 (Learn more)

Measure Details