Florida Voters Approve Major Property Tax Cut, Clearing the 60 Percent Bar

Florida voters on Tuesday approved one of the largest property tax cuts in the state’s history, according to results reported by NBC News, Just the News and election data services.

The result

Amendment 3 received about 62 percent of the vote, according to those results. Florida requires 60 percent approval for any constitutional amendment, so the measure cleared the threshold by about two points.

The measure was a priority of outgoing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-led Legislature.

What it does

The amendment raises the homestead exemption from non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and then to $250,000 in 2028, according to the ballot summary. Taxes that fund public schools are not affected.

It also cuts the annual cap on assessment increases for commercial property, rental homes and second homes from 10 percent to 5 percent, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Who benefits

Homeowners who live in their properties full time will see the largest savings on county and city tax bills. Owners of rental and commercial property will see slower growth in their taxable values.

The concerns

Cities and counties warned during the campaign that the cut could reduce money available for police, fire protection, roads and other local services. Local governments rely heavily on property taxes because Florida has no state income tax.

Supporters argued that rising home values and insurance costs have made Florida increasingly expensive and that homeowners needed relief.

What comes next

Local governments will now have to adjust budgets for the 2027 tax year. Some may raise tax rates, cut spending or look for other sources of revenue. The Legislature may also consider measures to help smaller counties that depend more heavily on property tax revenue.

Other ballot results

Florida’s vote was one of 145 statewide ballot measures decided in 39 states on Tuesday, according to Just the News. In Ohio and North Carolina, voters approved measures writing photo identification requirements into their state constitutions. In California, a proposed one-time tax on billionaires was trailing in early returns.

Final certified results in Florida are expected later this month.

How we reported this

This report is based on information confirmed by the Associated Press or by at least two major news organizations, as noted in the text. Figures from early or partial counts are identified as such and may change. BURN VOC will update this story as new information is released.