Nov 5, 2008 8:05 am US/Eastern
Marriage Amendment To Pass, Amendment 8 Fails
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The 2008 General Election featured not only the presidential contest, but also votes on numerous Florida constitutional amendments. Issues included the definition of marriage and allowing local communities to help fund community colleges.
In order for the amendment to be passed it must receive 60 percent or more approval.
Amendment 1, proposed deleting from the state Constitution language allowing the Legislature to regulate or prohibit property ownership by aliens ineligible for citizenship. The 1926 provision, which aimed to ban Asian immigrants from owning property, is unconstitutional and was never implemented, but Amendment 1 supporters believe the words are racist and should be removed from the constitution. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, the amendment had 47.9 percent support.
Amendment 2 was probably the most controversial amendment. This amendment sought to define marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and protect the law from judicial review and action. With 99% of precincts reporting, the measure passed by a vote of 62% to 38%.
Amendment 3 would make home improvements that provide renewable energy or protect against hurricane damage exempt from the home's assessed value, was too close to call. Ballots were still being counted in several counties. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, the amendment had 60.5 percent support. The count will resume on Wednesday.
Amendment 4 would create conservation as a new land-use classification and give conserved property a lower tax assessment similar to that of agricultural land was approved. The amendment also eliminates property taxes on lands placed in a perpetual conservation easement, which would prohibit future development on the land because the classification remains even if the land is sold. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, it had 68.3 percent support.
Amendment 6, which changed the way marinas are taxed, was approved. Under the amendment they will be assessed based on their current use rather than any potential uses, like a hotel or resort. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, the amendment had 70.5 percent support.
Finally, Amendment 8 would have authorized counties to ask voters if they want to increase the sales tax for up to five years to aid the local community college, was defeated. With 99 percent of the expected vote counted, the measure failed with only 43.6 percent support.
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