What Is Florida Amendment 3? A Plain-English Ballot Decode for Broward & Boca
Florida Ballot 2026 · Series 1 of 6 · Neutral voter education
If you own a home—or a rental—in Broward County or Boca Raton, Amendment 3 is one of the most consequential property-tax questions on Florida’s November 3, 2026 general election ballot. This post is voter education only. Damelecia does not endorse a Yes or No vote.
Official basics (from Florida DOS)
| Ballot number | 3 |
| Election | November 3, 2026 general election |
| Made ballot | June 16, 2026 |
| Effective (if passed) | January 1, 2027 |
| Passage threshold | 60% Yes |
Source: Florida DOS InitDetail · DOS 2026 Booklet (PDF)
What the ballot summary covers
- Homestead exemption (non-school taxes): $150,000 in 2027 → $250,000 in 2028 → inflation thereafter. School taxes carved out of that larger exemption.
- Local option: Legislature must set a uniform procedure for counties/cities to raise homestead exemption up to full assessed value; special districts may with referendum.
- New-resident timing: Not a Florida resident on Dec 31, 2026 → existing exemption first; increased exemption in the fifth year, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution.
- Non-homestead assessment cap: Annual increase cap 10% → 5%.
- Property-tax use rules for counties and municipalities (listed categories + other expenditures approved by governing bodies unless prohibited by general law).
Timeline to Election Day
- Oct 19 – Nov 1, 2026: Early voting (Broward County & Boca Raton, typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m.)
- Tue Nov 3, 2026: Election Day
- Jan 1, 2027: Effective date if Amendment 3 passes with 60%+
Key takeaways
- Amendment 3 is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot; needs 60% Yes; effective Jan 1, 2027 if approved.
- Raises non-school homestead exemption to $150k then $250k; school taxes stay on a separate track.
- Cuts non-homestead assessment increase cap from 10% to 5%—important for rentals.
- Also covers local tax-use rules and a new-resident phase-in with a constitutional caveat.
- This series is neutral education for Broward + Boca homeowners and landlords.
Coming next in this series
- Homestead owners — exemption steps & school carve-out
- Rentals / investors — why the 5% cap matters
- Local budgets & services
- How to decide — checklist & voting logistics
- Final-week / Election Day reminder
Managing a Broward or Boca rental while you track tax policy? Damelecia Property Management offers a free rental analysis.
Call (954) 860-7493 · Broker Melecia Johnson, BK3251569 · Plans from 8% · Gold 10% of rent collected
Sources: Florida Department of State constitutional initiatives; Florida DOS 2026 Constitutional Amendments Booklet; Florida TaxWatch 2026 Taxpayer’s Guide; Broward County Supervisor of Elections and Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections (early voting schedules).
