Do you know about the 2026 Florida Amendments?
Florida voters will be faced with three constitutional amendment proposals on the Nov. 3 ballot. Each needs at least 60% of votes to be enshrined in the Florida Constitution.
Are you still unsure about what each amendment means and whether you're going to cast a "yes" or "no" vote? In this story, we highlight Florida Amendment 1 on the 2026 ballot to help you prepare for Election Day, in which polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
In this story, we're highlighting Florida Amendment 1, and we're offering the recommendations (when available) of the editorial boards of two Florida newspapers in the USA TODAY NETWORK and three other newspapers in the Sunshine State. Though Florida is home
to almost two dozen newspapers, with 19 sites that are part of the USA TODAY Network, a small fraction of newspapers provide editorial board recommendations during U.S. general elections. However, each newspaper has covered the Florida amendments in the 2026 election with stories that explain what it means to their readers. Below is a list of newspapers here with links to their sites if you want to do further research on the 2026 Florida amendments.
Whatever your choice, it's important to make your voice heard by early voting, voting by mail or by going to the polls on Nov. 3.
When does 2026 early voting start in Florida?
The mandatory early voting period for the upcoming general elections begins Saturday, Oct. 24 and ends on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. But early voting dates vary by county so check your county's Supervisor of Elections website to see early voting dates for your area.
"Supervisors of Elections may offer more days starting as early as the 15th day before the election and ending on the 2nd day before an election," according to the Florida Division of Elections.
Some Florida counties may start early voting as early as Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, and end as late as Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
When is Election Day 2026 in Florida?
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How many newspapers are in Florida?
Below is a list of Florida newspapers, 19 of which are part of USA TODAY Co. and the USA TODAY Network:
- Daily Commercial in Leesburg, dailycommercial.com, which covers Lake County and Sumter County, Florida
- Daytona Beach News-Journal, news-journalonline.com, which covers Volusia County, Florida
- Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, jacksonville.com, which covers Duval County, Florida
- FLORIDA TODAY, floridatoday.com, which covers Brevard County or the Space Coast of Florida
- Gainesville Sun, gainesville.com, which covers Flagler County, Florida, and the University of Florida Gators
- Lakeland Ledger, theledger.com, which covers Lake County, Florida
- (Fort Myers) News-Press, news-press.com, which covers Lee County, Florida
- Miami Herald, miamiherald.com, which covers Miami-Dade County, Florida
- Naples Daily News, naplesnews.com, which covers Collier County, Florida
- News Chief, newschief.com, which covers Winter Haven, Florida
- Northwest Florida Daily News, nwfdailynews.com, which covers Okaloosa County and Walton County, Florida
- Ocala Star-Banner, ocala.com, which covers Marion County, Florida
- Orlando Sentinel, orlandosentinel.com, which covers Orange County, Florida
- Palm Beach Daily News, palmbeachdailynews.com, which covers Palm Beach, Florida
- Palm Beach Post, palmbeachpost.com, which covers Palm Beach County, Florida
- Panama City News-Herald, newsherald.com, which covers Bay County, Florida
- Pensacola News Journal, pnj.com, which covers Escambia County and Santa Rosa County, Florida
- St. Augustine Record, staugustine.com, which covers Flagler County, Florida
- (Sarasota) Herald-Tribune, heraldtribune.com, which covers Sarasota County and Manatee County, Florida
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, sun-sentinel.com, which covers South Florida
- Tallahassee Democrat, tallahassee.com, which covers Leon County, Florida, and the Florida State University Seminoles
- Tampa Bay Times/Tampa Tribune, tampabay.com, which covers Hillsborough County, Florida
- TCPalm or Treasure Coast Newspapers, tcpalm.com, which covers Martin County, St. Lucie County and Indian River County, or the Treasure Coast of Florida
Which Florida newspapers offer editorial board recommendations or Florida amendment endorsements?
For the 2026 general election, which is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, the editorial boards of five Florida newspapers have offered recommendations — or endorsements on how to vote — including on the three Florida amendments on the ballot.
- Miami Herald, miamiherald.com
- Orlando Sentinel, orlandosentinel.com
- Palm Beach Post, palmbeachpost.com
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, sun-sentinel.com
- TCPalm or Treasure Coast Newspapers, tcpalm.com
2026 Florida Amendments: What is Amendment 1, 'Budget stabilization funds'
BallotPedia summarizes Florida Amendment 1 below.
Sponsor: Florida Legislature
Summary of Florida Changes to Budget Stabilization Fund Amendment: "Increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of net general revenue among other changes."
Florida Amendment 1: TCPalm Editorial Board recommendation
TCPalm, also known as Treasure Coast newspapers, is part of the USA TODAY Network, covering Indian River County, Martin County and St. Lucie County in Florida.
TCPalm: NO
The TCPalm Editorial Board recommends a No vote on Florida Amendment 1.
Why: "Budget Stabilization Fund: Voting yes would increase the maximum amount retained in the fund from 10% to 25% of general-revenue collections. ... Created by voters in 1992 in case of catastrophic emergencies, natural disasters or economic downturns, this fund hasn’t been used since 2008. ... There is no compelling reason to mandate this or centralize power in Tallahassee even more."
Florida Amendment 1: Palm Beach Post Editorial Board recommendation
The Palm Beach Post and its sister newspaper the Palm Beach Daily News are part of the USA TODAY Network. The publications also are the hometown newspapers of Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th U.S. president, and both often cover his private club Mar-a-Lago, located in Palm Beach, Florida. The Palm Beach Post covers West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Wellington, and other parts of Palm Beach County, Florida.
Palm Beach Post: NO
The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board recommends a No vote on Florida Amendment 1.
Why: "While stashing more money into the state's 'rainy day' fund has appeal, it's not a practical change that belongs in the Florida Constitution. Lawmakers need budget flexibility to address Florida's needs. This change would restrict that."
Florida Amendment 1: Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board recommendation
Orlando Sentinel: NO
In its 2026 general elections endorsement for Amendment 1 and Amendment 2, the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board recommends a No vote on Florida Amendment 1.
Why: "If you want to know what hypocrisy in action looks like, take a good look at these proposed constitutional amendments on Florida's general-election ballot."
Florida Amendment 1: South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board recommendation
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: NO
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board recommends a No vote on Florida Amendment 1, Florida Amendment 2 and Florida Amendment 3.
Why: "Just say no to all 3 Florida amendments ... You may have heard a lot about Amendment 3, the property tax amendment, which would gut local governments. Amendments 1 and 2 are less publicized but equally worthy of your 'no' vote."
Florida Amendment 1: Miami Herald Editorial Board recommendation
Miami Herald: NO
In its 2026 Florida Amendments endorsements, the Miami Herald Editorial Board recommends a No vote on Florida Amendment 1, Florida Amendment 2 and Florida Amendment 3.
Why: For Amendment 1, "After reading the ballot summary, voters may assume Florida is fiscally irresponsible and needs to be forced to save more money. That couldn't be farther from the truth."
Contributing: Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Network
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Elections: How to vote on Amendment 1, according to 5 Florida newspapers
