Florida voters approve sweeping property tax cut, reject two other amendments
Key Points(5)
- Florida voters approved an amendment to Florida’s Constitution that will reduce local governments’ ability to collect property taxes on owner-occupied homes and condos.
- With 99% of votes counted statewide on Tuesday night, 62% of voters favored the amendment and 38% opposed it.
- At least 60% is required for approval.
- Supporters included 57% of voters in Broward County, 60% in Palm Beach County and 66% in Miami-Dade County.
- In Central Florida, 51% in Orange County, 65% in Lake County, 66% in Osceola County and 50% in Seminole County voted for the amendment.
Florida voters have approved a constitutional amendment that will significantly expand property tax exemptions for owner-occupied homes and limit annual increases in the taxable value of certain properties, marking a major victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis' effort to reduce homeowners' tax bills.
Amendment 3 received approximately 62% support statewide in Tuesday's general election, clearing the 60% threshold required for constitutional amendments to pass, with 99% of votes counted.
Support for the measure included 57% of voters in Broward County, 60% in Palm Beach County and 66% in Miami-Dade County.
The amendment will increase Florida's existing homestead exemption, which currently reduces the taxable value of an eligible primary residence by $50,000. The exemption will rise to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with subsequent adjustments for inflation beginning in 2029.
The expanded exemption will apply to property taxes levied by local governments but will not reduce the portion of property taxes collected to fund public schools.
The measure also reduces the maximum annual increase in the assessed value of non-homestead properties, including rental and commercial properties, from 10% to 5%, although the new limit will not apply to school district taxes.
Additional provisions restrict how local governments can use property tax revenue, directing spending toward specified areas including public safety, education, infrastructure, environmental protection, flood control, government operations and employee retirement benefits.
The amendment also establishes different exemption rules for newer Florida residents, who will receive a smaller benefit until they have lived in the state for five years.
DeSantis spearheaded the campaign for the measure, spending more than a year advocating for property tax reductions as rising property valuations contributed to higher tax bills for homeowners.
Following Tuesday's results, the governor celebrated the outcome in a post on X, writing: "Big win on Amendment 3 for Florida homeowners!"
The proposal was placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature during a special session in June. Its provisions are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Meanwhile, Florida voters rejected two other proposed constitutional amendments on Tuesday.
Amendment 1, which would have increased the amount of money state lawmakers could deposit into a key reserve fund, received approximately 40% support, falling well short of the required threshold.
Amendment 2, which sought to exempt certain agricultural equipment and property used for farming and agritourism from property taxes, received approximately 58% support but also failed to secure the 60% needed for approval.
The outcome leaves Amendment 3 as the only one of the three proposals to receive sufficient voter support to become part of Florida's Constitution.
