TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Election Day, November 5, Florida voters said no to state government run by billionaires and rejected a ballot measure that would have stripped public funding away from candidates for governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and agriculture commissioner who agree to spending limits.  

Amendment 6 failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to pass. 

Public financing is part of the solution to the problem of money in politics because it increases the influence of everyday people. It increases engagement between candidates and the voters they seek to represent, makes constituents more important to campaigns, and encourages elected leaders to be more responsive to the communities they serve. It also enables new and more diverse candidates to take the leap in running for statewide office. 

Common Cause Florida worked hard to educate voters, the media, and civic organizations about what was at stake with Amendment 6. 

In a statement regarding the vote, Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida shared the following:

“This is a victory for democracy, ensuring that public campaign financing remains in place to help new and more diverse candidates run for office based on their commitment to the people—not the size of their bank account. 

“Running an effective statewide campaign is incredibly expensive in Florida. This Amendment would have discouraged good people from running for office if they are not wealthy and would have left campaigns even more beholden to big money donors.

“Floridians spoke up and protected our long-standing public financing program, preserving a system that makes constituents more important to campaigns and makes it possible for candidates who understand the challenges of everyday people to run for statewide office.

“Today, we sent a powerful message: democracy should reflect everyone, not just the wealthy.” 

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