TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Amendment 6, which seeks to eliminate Florida’s long-standing public campaign financing program, is set to appear on the November 2024 ballot. The amendment aims to remove public funding that supports candidate diversity and helps reduce excessive campaign spending.
Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida, urged Floridians to vote against the amendment. She stated: "You should not have to be rich to run for office. Amendment 6 would make it harder for individuals who are not personally wealthy to run for statewide elected office, leave candidates even more beholden to special interests, and reduce the voice of small-dollar donors and ordinary voters."
Keith emphasized the importance of a diverse pool of candidates in fostering a representative group of elected leaders. "A more diverse pool of candidates fosters a more diverse group of elected leaders who come from the communities they serve and share the experiences and challenges of ordinary Floridians. But the fact is, Amendment 6 would make it harder for women and People of Color to run for statewide office," she said.
She further noted that Floridians desire a democracy that mirrors their communities and leaders who understand their daily lives. "Floridians want a democracy that reflects our communities and elected leaders who understand our everyday lives, leaders who will enact policies that address the real challenges we face. Public campaign financing makes elected leaders like this more possible," Keith remarked.
Keith pointed out that Floridians have previously shown support for public campaign financing in 1998 and 2010. She criticized the Legislature's decision to place Amendment 6 on the ballot this year instead of ordinary Floridians.
"To support more diverse candidates to run for statewide office and to protect fairer elections, Common Cause Florida urges voters to vote NO on Amendment 6 this November," Keith concluded.