Poll points to trouble for many ballot proposals

with 7 percent opposed and 13 percent undecided, the poll showed. TALLAHASSEE — Only ■ Amendment 8, which four of the 13 state consti- would impose an eight-year tutional amendments on term limit on school board the November ballot have members. It would also allow enough voter support to be an alternative process for enacted, according to a poll approving public schools, from the Florida Chamber including charter schools, of Commerce. rather than by local school

The poll, conducted in late boards. It would establish May and early June, showed a requirement for teachfour amendments with the ing civic literacy in pub- necessary 60 percent of voter lic schools. The measure, support. They are: which came from the Con

■ Amendment 1, which stitution Revision Commiswould expand the homesion, has support from 75 stead property-tax exemp- percent of voters, with 11 tion. It was placed on the bal- percent opposed and 15 perlot by the Legislature, with cent undecided. the chamber survey showIn a memo sent Friday to ing 67 percent of voters in members of the Chamber of support, 22 percent opposed Commerce’s board of direc- and 11 percent undecided. tors, Mark Wilson, the orga-

■ Amendment 3, which nization’s president, noted would require voter approval support and opposition for of gambling expansions in the 13 amendments will be the state, including allowing impacted by media camcasinos. The amendment, paigns seeking to sway voter which was placed on the bal- opinion. lot through a voter petition “In other words, these drive backed by Disney World numbers will change as and the Seminole Tribe of November approaches,” Florida, was supported by Wilson wrote.

61 percent of voters, with He also noted that with the 23 percent opposed and 15 large number of amendments percent undecided. on the Nov. 6 general elec

■ Amendment 7, which tion ballot, the most since would require the payment the 1998 election, “voter of death benefits when law fatigue is certainly a concern enforcement officers, paraof ours.” But he also said the medics, correctional officers survey showed nearly nine and other “first responders” of every 10 voters said they are killed while performing planned to vote on the baltheir official duties. The mealot measures. sure, which came from the Some ballot measures Constitution Revision Comfell short of the 60 percent mission, also would estabapproval requirement but lish a governance system for were close in the survey. the 28 state and community Among them was Amend- colleges and require a super- ment 9, which would ban off- majority vote by university shore oil drilling and vaping boards of trustees and the in workplaces and restau- university system’s Board rants. It was supported by of Governors when raising 55 percent of voters, with 31 student fees. It has support percent in opposition and 14 from 80 percent of voters, percent undecided.

Also, Amendment 12, which would establish a new ethics standard for public officials and impose a six- year lobbying ban on state elected officials, state agency heads and local elected officials, had support from 55 percent of voters, with 18 percent in opposition and an 27 percent undecided.

Among the measures with the lowest voter support was Amendment 4, which would restore voting rights to felons who have served their sentences. The measure, which was the result of a petition drive, had support from 40 percent of the voters, with 17 percent opposed. However, 43 percent of the voters said they were undecided, showing there is room for supporters of the measure to persuade voters to back it.

Only 34 percent of voters supported Amendment 5, which came from the Legislature and would require a supermajority vote by the state House and Senate when enacting taxes or fees. Some 36 percent of the voters were in opposition, with 30 percent undecided, the poll showed.

Another measure that would ban greyhound racing in the state had 47 percent support from the voters, with 36 percent in opposition and 17 percent undecided. Amendment 13, which came from the Constitution Revision Commission, is being contested in court by groups that support dog racing.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce poll was conducted by Cherry Communications between May 25 and June 2. Some 605 “likely” voters were polled, including 249 Democrats. 237 Republicans and 119 others. The margin of error was 4 percentage points.