Okeechobee County election results

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require the legislature to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to reach 25% of the general revenue collections each year unless certain conditions are met, and allow the legislature to withdraw funds for critical state needs.

Proposed by the Florida Legislature (Article III, Section 19, Florida Constitution). Constitutional amendments need 60% of the votes cast on the measure to pass.

60%

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to exempt tangible personal property habitually located or typically present on land classified as agricultural, used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities, and owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land from ad valorem taxation. If approved this amendment would first apply for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

Proposed by the Florida Legislature (Article VII, s. 3; Article XII, Florida Constitution). Constitutional amendments need 60% of the votes cast on the measure to pass.

60%

This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same. Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution. This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.

Proposed by the Florida Legislature (Article VII, Sections 4, 6, and 9, and Article XII, Florida Constitution). Constitutional amendments need 60% of the votes cast on the measure to pass.

60%

Shall Judge Alan O. Forst be retained in Office?

A yes vote keeps Alan O. Forst on the Fourth District Court of Appeal for a new six-year term. If a majority votes no, the seat becomes vacant when the current term ends and the Governor appoints a replacement from a judicial nominating commission’s list.

Majority

Shall Judge Caroline Cahill Shepherd be retained in Office?

A yes vote keeps Caroline Cahill Shepherd on the Fourth District Court of Appeal for a new six-year term. If a majority votes no, the seat becomes vacant when the current term ends and the Governor appoints a replacement from a judicial nominating commission’s list.

Majority

Shall Judge Johnathan D. Lott be retained in Office?

A yes vote keeps Johnathan D. Lott on the Fourth District Court of Appeal for a new six-year term. If a majority votes no, the seat becomes vacant when the current term ends and the Governor appoints a replacement from a judicial nominating commission’s list.

Majority

Shall Judge Mark W. Klingensmith be retained in Office?

A yes vote keeps Mark W. Klingensmith on the Fourth District Court of Appeal for a new six-year term. If a majority votes no, the seat becomes vacant when the current term ends and the Governor appoints a replacement from a judicial nominating commission’s list.

Majority

Shall Judge Shannon K. Shaw be retained in Office?

A yes vote keeps Shannon K. Shaw on the Fourth District Court of Appeal for a new six-year term. If a majority votes no, the seat becomes vacant when the current term ends and the Governor appoints a replacement from a judicial nominating commission’s list.

Majority

Shall Justice Carlos G. Muñiz be retained in Office?

A yes vote keeps Carlos G. Muñiz on the Florida Supreme Court for a new six-year term. If a majority votes no, the seat becomes vacant when the current term ends and the Governor appoints a replacement from a judicial nominating commission’s list.

Majority