Three separate lawsuits now challenge Amendment Three, a proposed constitutional amendment placed on the November ballot by state lawmakers. The legal challenges have been filed by nonprofit Save Our Voters, former South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard, and former lawmakers Jeff Brandes and Al Lawson. All three cases make the same core argument: the ballot language is biased, misleading and written to persuade voters rather than neutrally explain the amendment. Attorney Jamie Cole, who filed the first lawsuit, said the language is as biased as bias can be and called it basically a political flyer. The lawsuits target several phrases in the ballot summary, including language saying the amendment would save homes from excessive property taxes, protect small businesses, ensure funding for core services and ensure fairness for Florida residents. Plaintiffs argue those phrases are campaign-style language urging voters to support the measure rather than a neutral explanation of what the amendment does.
The cases are expected to be consolidated, with a hearing currently set for July 29. If approved by 60 percent of voters, the measure would expand non-school homestead property tax exemptions, eventually exempting up to $250,000 of a homestead's value by 2028. It would also limit some future assessment increases on non-homestead property and place new restrictions on how local governments use property tax dollars. If a judge agrees the ballot language is misleading, the Florida Attorney General could be tasked with rewriting the summary. The amendment needs at least 60 percent voter approval to pass in November.