Voter support for Amendment 3’s property tax relief proposal remains high despite pushback from various organizations.

A poll released this month shows 74% of respondents support the proposal to significantly reduce or eliminate property taxes on homesteaded residences.

The proposal needs just 60% of the vote to pass.

The cost of living is at the top of voters’ minds heading into election day with 94% of respondents saying costs in Florida are increasing. And when asked what they felt was the primary driver of housing affordability issues, 15% said property taxes. Another 20% blamed insurance rates and 19% said it was property insurance.

If passed, Amendment 3 would increase the homestead tax exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.

Passage of the amendment would reduce local revenue by nearly an estimated $12 billion annually, according to the Florida Policy Institute.

The wide support from voters stands in contrast to multiple organizations that have spoken out in opposition to the property tax relief proposal.

Among the organizations who have spoken publicly about their concerns are the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, Florida Professional Firefighters, Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Sheriffs Association, 1000 Friends of Florida, Florida Rural Economic Development Association and the Florida Recreation and Park Association.

“Florida's residents deserve both affordable homeownership opportunities and strong, well-funded local services. We believe these goals are not mutually exclusive. Meaningful property tax reform should be achieved through thoughtful analysis, collaboration, and careful planning that considers the long-term impacts on the essential services residents rely upon every day,” said FRPA Executive Director Eleanor Warmack.

The amendment would limit the use of ad valorem revenue by counties and municipalities to fund core needs including public safety, law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical services among other things.

Earlier this week, a judge ruled the current ballot language for Amendment 3 is “misleading” and ordered the attorney general to rewrite it.

“Voters are entitled to a fair, clear, accurate and non-misleading ballot statement to assist them in making their critical determination. The present ballot language would deprive the voters of the opportunity to make a meaningful decision,” said Judge David Frank.

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to the ruling during a press conference Thursday.

“I don’t necessarily agree with that but the reality is it goes to the attorney general, the attorney general rewrites it. I’ve actually seen some of the drafts, great drafts, it’s going to be very good, very clear for voters what’s on there, it addresses what the judge said even though we don’t necessarily agree with the legal analysis it’s fine. It’s going to be a very good summary, very straightforward. People are going to know you’re going to get tax relief,” said DeSantis.