Voter Registration-VBM(Mail in Ballots)-Disrticts-Candidate

What is a down ballot?

Down-ballot and down-ticket are words that are used to describe the offices, and those people running for those offices, that fall below your vote for JOE BIDEN on your Ballot.

The outcomes of down-ballot votes are influenced mostly by how many people come out to vote in the local area. They aren't controlled by things like the electoral college.

Don't be an uninformed voter, and don't miss your chance to exercise your right to vote just because you chose to stay uneducated about what's on the ballot. 

With easy access to the internet in so many ways (utilize the free internet at your local library if you don't have internet or a computer at home), there is no excuse not to bean informed voter. You just need to take a little time to pay attention and do some research.

**See Down Ballot Measures, Amendments, Initiatives below.

A lot of people don't research many of the candidates on the down-ballot, for one reason or another.

Maybe you don't think that it's important to know who's running for your

county's Board of Education because you don't have any kids in school.

The fact is that these down-ballot candidates are the ones that will be writing and altering local policies, many of the things that will affect you and your family directly. 

Another reason why it's important that you pay attention to this part of the ballot is that you aren't going to have as many outlets feeding you info on them as the national elections. You need to take the time to look up your local ballot options before the actual election, and then do some research on your own.

While news channels may discuss these candidates from time to time, you can't be ensured that you're getting unbiased info.

Examples:

While the Palm Beach County Democratic Hispanic does not endorse candidates we have provide you the endorsements of a local human rights organization.

Please note that (*) means endorsed by PBC Human Rights Council, a non-partisan organization. please visit their website for more details.

This is not a complete list, but an example for your benefit. Your ballot may differ. 

President Democrat:

Joseph R. Biden *

Vice President Democrat:

Kamala D. Harris *

Representative in Congress 

District 18  Democrat

Pam Keith *

District 20 Democrat

Alcee Hastings *

District 21  Democrat

Lois Frankel *

District 22  Democrat

Ted Deutch *

Florida Senate

District 29

Tina Polsky *

District 31

Lori Berman *

State Representative 

District 81

Kelly Skidmore *

District 85

Jim Carroll *

District 86

Matt Whilhite*

District 87

David Silvers *

District 88

Omari Hardy *

District 89

James Bonfiglio *

District 90

Joe Casello *

District 91

Emily Slosberg *

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Democrat 

Joseph Abruzzo

Sheriff Democrat

Ric L. Bradshaw

Tax Collector Democrat 

Anne M. Gannon

Port of Palm Beach Group 1 Democrat

Wayne M. Richards

Port of Palm Beach Group 2 Democrat

Katherine M. Waldron 

Port of Palm Beach Group 3  Democrat 

Jean L. Enright DEM 

The rest of the elected offices are non-partisan or, questions.

Justice of the Supreme Court

Shall Justice Carlos G. Muñiz of the Supreme Court be retained in office? 

Fourth District Court of Appeal 

Shall Judge Alan O. Forst of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?

Fourth District Court of Appeal 

Shall Judge Mark W. Klingensmith of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office? 

Shall Judge Martha C. Warner of the Fourth District Court of Appeal be retained in office?

Circuit Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit Group 30 

Jaimie Goodman 

Adam Myron 

Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2

Ann Marie Sorrell 

Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District Group 3  

Jon E. Shaw 

Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District Group 4

Rob Long

One of the often most overlooked sections of the down-ballot  has absolutely nothing to do with electing individuals into office. Ballot measures are legislative proposals that are looking for your approval or rejections.

Whether you should choose to vote yes or no on them is sometimes confusing because of wording. This confusion over wording is one of the reasons why it is extremely important to be knowledgeable of when these are on a ballot and what each of them is doing.

While most laws are passed by elected officials, you sometimes get to make the choice. Common things that are seen in ballot measures can include changing whether or not same-sex marriages are legal in your state, whether or not marijuana is legal in your state, and it can even be used to affect the money that schools, zoos,and other institutions get in your state. 

Read them now!

English

No. 1 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 2

Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections This amendment provides that only United States Citizens who are at least eighteen years of age, a permanent resident of Florida, and registered to vote, as provided by law, shall be qualified to vote in a Florida election. Because the proposed amendment is not expected to result in any changes to the voter registration process in Florida, it will have no impact on state or local government costs or revenue. Further, it will have no effect on the state’s economy. 

En Español

 Núm. 1 Enmienda Constitucional Artículo VI, Sección 2

Requisito de ciudadanía para votar en las elecciones de Florida Esta enmienda establece que solo los ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos que tengan al menos dieciocho años de edad, sean residentes permanentes de la Florida y estén registrados para votar, según lo dispuesto por la ley, calificarán para votar en una elección de Florida. Debido a que no se espera que la enmienda propuesta resulte en ningún cambio en el proceso de registro de votantes en la Florida, no tendrá ningún impacto en los costos o ingresos del gobierno estatal o local. Además, no tendrá ningún efecto en la economía del estado.

English

No. 2 Constitutional Amendment Article X, Section 24 

Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage Raises minimum wage to $10.00 per hour effective September 30th, 2021. Each September 30th thereafter, minimum wage shall increase by $1.00 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30th, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30th, 2027. State and local government costs will increase to comply with the new minimum wage levels. Additional annual wage costs will be approximately $16 million in 2022, increasing to about $540 million in 2027 and thereafter. Government actions to mitigate these costs are unlikely to produce material savings. Other government costs and revenue impacts, both positive and negative, are not quantifiable. THIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE A NET NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE STATE BUDGET. THIS IMPACT MAY RESULT IN HIGHER TAXES OR A LOSS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A BALANCED STATE BUDGET AS REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

En Español

Núm. 2 Enmienda Constitucional Artículo X, Sección 24

Aumentar el salario mínimo de la Florida Aumentar el salario mínimo a $ 10,00 por hora a partir del 30 de septiembre de 2021. Cada 30 de septiembre a partir de entonces, el salario mínimo aumentará $ 1,00 por hora hasta que el salario mínimo alcance los $ 15,00 por hora el 30 de septiembre de 2026. A partir de ese momento, los futuros aumentos del salario mínimo deberán volver a ajustarse anualmente según la inflación a partir del 30 de septiembre de 2027. Se incrementarán los costos de los gobiernos estatales y locales para cumplir con los nuevos niveles de salario mínimo. Los costos salariales anuales adicionales serán de aproximadamente $ 16 millones en 2022, aumentando a aproximadamente $ 540 millones a partir de 2027. Es improbable que las acciones del gobierno para mitigar estos costos produzcan ahorros materiales. Cabe destacar que otros costos gubernamentales e impactos en los ingresos, tanto positivos como negativos, no son cuantificables. ES ESTIMADO QUE EL IMPACTO FINANCIERO DE ESTA ENMIENDA CONSTITUCIONAL TENDRÁ UN IMPACTO NEGATIVO NETO SOBRE EL PRESUPUESTO ESTATAL. ESTE IMPACTO PUEDE RESULTAR EN IMPUESTOS MÁS ALTOS O PÉRDIDA DE SERVICIOS GUBERNAMENTALES PARA MANTENER UN PRESUPUESTO ESTATAL EQUILIBRADO SEGÚN LO REQUIERE LA CONSTITUCIÓN.

English

No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VI, Section 5 

All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. Two highest vote getters advance to general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held and winner is determined in general election. Candidate’s party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024. It is probable that the proposed amendment will result in additional local government costs to conduct elections in Florida. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference projects that the combined costs across counties will range from $5.2 million to $5.8 million for each of the first three election cycles occurring in even-numbered years after the amendment’s effective date, with the costs for each of the intervening years dropping to less than $450,000. With respect to state costs for oversight, the additional costs for administering elections are expected to be minimal. Further, there are no revenues linked to voting in Florida. Since there is no impact on state costs or revenues, there will be no impact on the state’s budget. While the proposed amendment will result in an increase in local expenditures, this change is expected to be below the threshold that would produce a statewide economic impact.

En Español

Núm. 3 Enmienda Constitucional Artículo VI, Sección 5

Todos los votantes votan para la legislatura estatal, el gobernador y el gabinete en las elecciones primarias Permite a todos los votantes registrados votar para la legislatura estatal, el gobernador y el gabinete en las elecciones primarias, independientemente de la afiliación a los partidos políticos. Todos los candidatos para un cargo, incluidos los candidatos nominados por los partidos, aparecen en la misma boleta primaria. Los dos candidatos que obtengan la mayoría de los votos avanzan a las elecciones generales. Si solo dos candidatos califican, no se celebra ninguna primaria y el ganador se determina en las elecciones generales. La afiliación al partido del candidato puede aparecer en la boleta electoral según lo dispuesto por la ley. Vigente a partir del 1 de enero de 2024. Es probable que la enmienda propuesta resulte en costos adicionales del gobierno local para realizar elecciones en la Florida. La Conferencia de Estimación del Impacto Financiero proyecta que los costos combinados entre los condados oscilarán entre $ 5,2 millones y $ 5,8 millones por cada uno de los primeros tres ciclos electorales que ocurran en años pares después de la fecha de entrada en vigencia de la enmienda, y los costos de cada uno de los años intermedios disminuirán a menos de $ 450000,00. Con respecto a los costos estatales para la supervisión, se espera que los costos adicionales para administrar las elecciones sean mínimos. Además, no hay ingresos vinculados a la votación en la Florida. Dado que no hay impacto en los costos o ingresos estatales, tampoco habrá impacto en el presupuesto del estado. Si bien la enmienda propuesta dará como resultado un aumento en los gastos locales, se espera que este cambio esté por debajo del umbral que produciría un impacto económico a nivel estatal.

No. 4 Constitutional Amendment Article XI, Sections 5 and 7 Núm. 4 

English

Enmienda Constitucional Artículo XI, Secciones 5 y 7

Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the State Constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections. It is probable that the proposed amendment will result in additional state and local government costs to conduct elections in Florida. Overall, these costs will vary from election cycle to election cycle depending on the unique circumstances of each ballot and cannot be estimated at this time. The key factors determining cost include the number of amendments appearing for the second time on each ballot and the length of those amendments. Since the maximum state cost is likely less than $1 million per cycle but the impact cannot be discretely quantified, the change to the state’s budget is unknown. Similarly, the economic impact cannot be modelled, although the spending increase is expected to be below the threshold that would produce a statewide economic impact. Because there are no revenues linked to voting in Florida, there will be no impact on government taxes or fees. THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THIS AMENDMENT CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO AMBIGUITIES AND UNCERTAINTIES SURROUNDING THE AMENDMENT'S IMPACT. 

En Español

Enmienda Constitucional Artículo XI, Secciones 5 y 7

Aprobación de votantes de enmiendas constitucionales Requiere que todas las enmiendas o revisiones propuestas a la Constitución del Estado sean aprobadas por los votantes en dos elecciones, y no solo en una, para que surtan efecto. La propuesta aplica los umbrales actuales para la aprobación de cada una de las dos elecciones. Es probable que la enmienda propuesta resulte en costos adicionales del gobierno local y estatal para realizar elecciones en la Florida. En general, estos costos variarán de un ciclo electoral a otro dependiendo de las circunstancias únicas de cada boleta y no pueden estimarse en este momento. Los factores clave que determinan el costo incluyen el número de enmiendas que aparecen por segunda vez en cada boleta y la longitud de esas enmiendas. Dado que el costo máximo del estado es probablemente inferior a $ 1 millón por ciclo, pero el impacto no puede cuantificarse de manera discreta, se desconoce el cambio en el presupuesto del estado. Del mismo modo, el impacto económico no se puede modelar, aunque se espera que el aumento del gasto esté por debajo del umbral que produciría un impacto económico a nivel estatal. Debido a que no hay ingresos vinculados a la votación en la Florida, no habrá impacto en los impuestos o tarifas gubernamentales. EL IMPACTO FINANCIERO DE ESTA ENMIENDA NO SE PUEDE DETERMINAR DEBIDO A LAS AMBIGÜEDADES E INCERTIDUMBRES RELACIONADAS AL IMPACTO DE LA ENMIENDA.

No. 5 Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Section 4 and Article XII

English

Limitations on Homestead Property Tax Assessments; increased portability period to transfer accrued benefit Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective January 1, 2021, to increase, from 2 years to 3 years, the period of time during which accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead. 

En Español

Núm. 5 Enmienda Constitucional Artículo VII, Sección 4 y Artículo XII

Limitaciones en las evaluaciones de impuestos a la propiedad; mayor período de portabilidad para transferir el beneficio acumulado Se propone una enmienda a la Constitución del Estado, vigente desde el 1 de enero de 2021, para aumentar, de 2 años a 3 años, el período de tiempo durante el cual los beneficios acumulados de Save-Our-Homes pueden transferirse de una propiedad anterior a una nueva propiedad.

No. 6 Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Section 6 and Article XII 

English

Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities 

Provides that the homestead property tax discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities carries over to such veteran's surviving spouse who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently resides on, the homestead property, until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount may be transferred to a new homestead property of the surviving spouse under certain conditions. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2021. 

En Español

Núm. 6 Enmienda Constitucional Artículo VII, Sección 6 y Artículo XII

Descuento fiscal ad valorem para cónyuges de ciertos veteranos fallecidos que tenían discapacidades permanentes relacionadas con el combate Establece que el descuento del impuesto sobre la propiedad constituida como bien de familia para ciertos veteranos con discapacidades permanentes relacionadas con el combate se transfiere al cónyuge sobreviviente de dicho veterano que posee un título legal o beneficioso y que reside permanentemente en la propiedad, hasta que él o ella se vuelva a casar, venda o de otra manera disponga de la propiedad. El descuento puede ser transferido a una nueva propiedad constituida como bien de familia del cónyuge sobreviviente bajo ciertas condiciones. La enmienda entra en vigencia el 1 de enero de 2021.