TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – All eyes were on the Florida State Supreme Court as on Monday, the state justices decided that Florida voters will be able to cast ballots on issues pertaining to abortion access and adult recreational marijuana use.
Two groups had been working for the opportunity to allow voters to make their voices heard on the two key issues in November.
“There are really clear standards for what it takes to get an initiative on the ballot in Florida and we know that we met those standards,” said Lauren Brenzel, Floridians Protecting Freedom Campaign Director.
One proposed constitutional amendment reads in part:
“No law shall prohibit, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”
The other proposed amendment would allow adults to possess, purchase and use marijuana products for non-medical personal consumption and establishes possession limits for personal use.
The Florida Supreme Court will release out-of-calendar opinions at 4 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 1, 2024. pic.twitter.com/Gg0SJOTKog
— FloridaSupremeCourt (@flcourts) March 28, 2024
University of Florida constitutional law expert Jonathan Marshfield focuses his research on ballot initiatives.
“Florida is a little bit unusual, because the Constitution requires that these initiative petitions essentially be pre-cleared by the Florida Supreme Court before they go on the ballot,” said Marshfield. “The question that is before them is whether the Florida Supreme Court believes that it meets the requirements that are included in the Constitution, and then also in some statutes, for these to be placed on the ballot.”
Local 10 News’ Christina Vazquez also spoke to Nova Southeastern University political scientist Charles Zelden about the upcoming decisions.
“What are the political implications of all of this?” asked Vazquez.
“There will be Republicans who will come to vote because they want to vote against the abortion bill or they want to vote against marijuana. There will be those who come because they want to vote for it,” said Zelden. “However, when you balance out the two sides, the one who benefits more is the pro side because those who are likely to vote for these initiatives are more likely to be casual voters.”
That means that Zelden thinks these issues could drive voters to the polls in support.
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