TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday morning announced plans to reform Florida’s petition and amendment process, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
The proposal, set to be addressed during a special legislative session starting Jan. 27, aims to curb fraudulent activities in petition collection and reduce special interest influence in constitutional amendments.
DeSantis pointed to a recent investigation by the Secretary of State, which he said uncovered widespread fraud in petition signatures for a ballot initiative.
“Our constitution should not be for sale to the highest bidder,” he said, highlighting how well-funded groups often hire paid petition gatherers, some of whom admitted to submitting fraudulent signatures.
The reforms will focus on stricter verification of petition signatures, requiring identification similar to absentee ballot requirements, and potentially notarization for signatures collected in person.
DeSantis also called for greater voter clarity, noting concerns over misleading language in ballot summaries, which can confuse voters about an amendment’s true impact.
He stressed the urgency of these changes, urging the legislature to act swiftly to prevent further issues in upcoming election cycles.
“Let’s get it right now, so we don’t have to worry about this going forward,” DeSantis said.
Florida House Representative Anna Eskamani criticized the governor’s announcement of the special session, calling it a “political spectacle” that wastes taxpayer dollars and fails to address the state’s most pressing issues.
“Instead of addressing skyrocketing housing and insurance costs, unaffordable healthcare, and stagnant wages, Governor DeSantis is prioritizing attacks on immigrants, undermining our democratic process, and giving himself more power to override the will of the people,” Eskamani said in a statement.
Eskamani also raised concerns about efforts to restrict citizen participation in the ballot initiative process, stating it shifts power from voters to politicians who “fear accountability.”
During the most recent election in 2024, Floridians voted on six constitutional amendments, four of which failed to gain the required support.
RELATED: State alleges petition fraud amid political battle over Amendment 4
Two high-profile initiatives — Amendment 3, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana, and Amendment 4, which proposed codifying abortion rights — were placed on the ballot through petition signatures.
Both Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 failed despite significant financial backing, high-profile endorsements, and intense public debate leading up to the election.
Criticism of DeSantis’ policies and the recent amendment outcomes has been sharp. News4JAX reported in November 2024 that State Sen. Lori Berman called the failure of Amendment 4 “devastating,” warning it would disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried described the result as a “heartbreaking loss” and accused Republicans of politicizing women’s healthcare, cautioning it could lead to reduced access to quality care across the state.
Regarding Amendment 3, Fried alleged that DeSantis’ administration used taxpayer funds in “illegal campaign activity” against cannabis legalization, though a judge later dismissed those claims. These critiques reflect concerns about what some view as excessive government intervention under DeSantis’ leadership.
DeSantis highlighted two additional priorities for the special session. He called for immediate funding to assist homeowners on the My Safe Florida Home program waitlist, urging lawmakers to act before the next hurricane season.
He also proposed measures to support President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including funding and new duties for local officials to enhance enforcement and ensure state-level cooperation with federal authorities.
While DeSantis’ proposed reforms target Florida’s state-level petition and amendment process, they align with his broader vision for reshaping constitutional policy nationwide.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, in February 2024, DeSantis advocated for an alternative method of amending the U.S. Constitution by allowing states to call a “convention for proposing amendments” if two-thirds of state legislatures petition Congress.
This process, outlined in the Constitution but never used, requires 34 states to trigger a convention and 38 states to ratify any proposed amendments.
During a news conference in Naples, DeSantis framed the approach as a necessary tool to counter Washington’s dysfunction, stating, “It’s going to require us working in our individual states using the tools that the Founding Fathers gave us to be able to take power away from D.C. and return it back to the American people.”
