Florida Amendment 3: What Should You Know Before You Vote? 🏡🗳️

Election Day is approaching, and if you're a Florida homeowner, renter, investor—or hope to become a homeowner—there's a proposed constitutional amendment worth researching before you vote.

Amendment 3 deals with property taxes.

Rather than telling you how to vote, I want to encourage you to understand what the amendment proposes, ask questions, and decide for yourself.

🏡 WHAT IS AMENDMENT 3?

If approved, Amendment 3 would make several changes to Florida's property-tax system.

Among them:

For qualifying homesteaded properties:The homestead exemption for non-school property taxes would increase to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments beginning afterward.

For non-homestead properties:The annual cap on increases in assessed value would decrease from 10% to 5%. This category can include properties such as rentals, second homes and commercial properties.

The amendment also includes provisions concerning how counties and municipalities may use property-tax revenue.

If approved, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027.

🤔 BUT WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN FOR YOU?

That's where I encourage you to do a little homework.

If you own your primary residence:

How much could your individual property-tax bill change?

Which portions of your tax bill would—and would not—be affected by the increased exemption?

Would the savings be different depending on the county or municipality where you live?

If you're thinking about buying:

How could these changes affect the long-term cost of owning a home in Florida?

Would a new Florida resident receive the same increased exemption immediately?

If you're a landlord or real-estate investor:

How could reducing the assessment-growth cap from 10% to 5% affect non-homestead property?

Could that affect the long-term cost of owning rental or commercial property?

If you're a renter:

Could changes in property taxes on rental properties eventually affect rents—or would other market forces have a greater impact?

💰 THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE TO RESEARCH

Property taxes don't only represent a bill homeowners pay. They also provide revenue for local governments and services.

So another set of questions worth researching is:

How much property-tax revenue would my county or city receive under the proposed system?

Which local services currently depend on that revenue?

If revenue decreases, how would my local government respond?

Could services change?

Could other taxes, assessments or fees change?

What protections or limitations are actually written into the amendment?

And importantly:

What happens to the portion of my property taxes that supports schools?

Don't rely on a social-media post, campaign advertisement or headline to answer these questions for you.

Go to the actual sources.

🔎 WHERE CAN YOU RESEARCH AMENDMENT 3?

Start with the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections. Look for the 2026 Constitutional Amendments booklet and the official ballot language.

The Florida Legislature is another good resource if you want to read the legislation and supporting documents behind the proposal.

You can also visit your County Property Appraiser and County Tax Collector websites for information explaining Florida property taxes and how homestead exemptions currently work.

For additional perspectives, read information from organizations both supporting and opposing the amendment. When you see a claim about how much homeowners will save—or how much revenue local governments may lose—ask:

Where did that number come from?

Is it statewide or specific to my county?

What assumptions were used?

Am I reading a fact, an estimate or an opinion?

🗳️ WHAT DOES YOUR VOTE MEAN?

A YES vote supports changing Florida's Constitution to implement the property-tax changes contained in Amendment 3.

A NO vote opposes those constitutional changes and would leave the current provisions in place.

Florida constitutional amendments require at least 60% voter approval to pass.

Whatever decision you make, make it an informed one.

Read the amendment.

Look beyond the headlines.

Research how it could affect homeowners, renters, investors, local governments and your own community.

Then ask yourself:

“Do I understand what changes if this passes—and what stays the same if it doesn't?”

That's the kind of question worth answering before Election Day.

Nicole SalterREALTOR®Salter Home Solutions

DISCLAIMER: This blog post is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to endorse, oppose, advocate for or influence a vote for or against Amendment 3 or any political candidate, party or ballot measure. Information regarding proposed legislation and constitutional amendments may change or be subject to legal interpretation. Readers should review the official ballot language and information from the Florida Department of State, Florida Legislature, local government agencies and multiple independent sources before making their own voting decision.