CITRUS DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE BALLOT MEASURE RECOMMENDATIONS

CITRUS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (DEC)

For Immediate Release

Contact:  John Comer, Citrus DEC Chair Phone: 352-228-0503:  info@citrusdemocrats.org

CITRUS DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE BALLOT MEASURE RECOMMENDATIONS 

Hernando, Florida. September 5, 2024  -  The Citrus County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) met and approved their ballot recommendations unanimously at their regular business meeting earlier this week.  

Amendment 1:  Partisan School Boards.  The Citrus DEC recommends voters select no on this measure. The measure further brings politics into local school board elections by making them partisan. The measure would exclude voters who aren’t registered as Democrats or Republicans from participating in the primaries for these races, a group that now makes up 26% of all voters in Florida.

Amendment 2:  Right to Hunt and Fish.  The Citrus DEC recommends voters select no on this measure. Floridians already enjoy a right to hunt and fish under Florida Statutes. This measure threatens to enable hunters to trespass onto your property in pursuit of the animals they want to kill. The measure doesn't allow for safeguarding the state’s ability to protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems. 

Amendment 3:  Adult Recreational Use of Marijuana.  The Citrus DEC recommends voters select yes on this measure. For decades, laws regarding the possession of even the smallest amount of marijuana have been disproportionately used to imprison marginalized communities, including the poor. The measure provides safe and legal sources for adults 21 years and older to use marijuana.    

Amendment 4:  Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.  The Citrus DEC recommends voters select yes on this measure. The hardest decision a woman can make should be made between a woman and her medical professional without interference from the government.  

Amendment 5:  Annual Adjustments to Value of Certain Exemptions.  The Citrus DEC recommends voters select no on this measure. The measure would cement in place Florida’s inequitable tax system and low investment in public service. Under this scheme, revenue for local governments would be reduced  by an estimated $111 million annually by 2029 for services like public safety workers, parks, and sanitation collection. 

Amendment 6:  Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement.  The Citrus DEC recommends voters select no on this measure. Running for office, especially for State-wide positions like Governor and State Cabinet, is very expensive. The current law helps level the playing field for candidates and includes accountability and audit requirements.  Approximately $13 million dollars in Public Campaign Finance money was used by candidates from both parties in 2022, or roughly $1 for each registered voter.

About Citrus County Democratic Party

The Citrus County DEC is responsible for managing the affairs of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) within the county. Membership of the DEC includes elected Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen who represent the registered voters of their precinct.

Citrus County Democrats strive to eliminate voter suppression, enhance public education, establish a living wage for workers, advocate for social justice and preserve Social Security and Medicare for senior citizens. 

Please visit us at https://www.citrusdemocrats.org/ and sign up for our monthly newsletter https://forms.wix.com/r/7186390875637809323.