by Steve Wilson
Florida voters gave a victory to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday by rejecting two ballot initiatives on recreational marijuana and abortion rights that the second-term Republican opposed.
Amendment 3, a proposed recreational cannabis program in the state, failed with 55.75% approving out of 10.35 million ballots cast and 44.25% opposed according to preliminary results from the Florida secretary of state’s office.
Ballot initiatives require 60% of the vote to pass.
Voters also shot down Amendment 4, which would’ve enshrined abortion rights in the constitution, with 57.02% saying yes out of 10.33 million ballots cast. Those opposed were 42.98%.
In a post on X, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy praised the vote.
“The polls are closed in Florida and Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 both failed to pass,” Dungy said. “Thank you to all the Florida residents who helped to protect the lives of the unborn. And we want people to realize that those expectant mothers who need help will still be able to get it.
“Pregnant women with health risks can get treatment. The exceptions for rape and incest are still in place. But this is a victory for babies.”
Safe & Smart Florida raised $153 million for Amendment 3, most of it (nearly $145 million) coming from cannabis retailer Trulieve, according to data from the secretary of state’s office.
Floridians Protecting Freedom put Amendment 4 on the ballot and the group received $108 million in contributions, according to state data, with most of those funds coming from the Service Employees International Union and the American Civil Liberties Union.
There were six amendments on the ballot and only two passed. Amendment 5, which would modify certain homestead exemptions, passed with 66.05% of the more than 9.85 million ballots cast. Amendment 2, which created a right to fish and hunt, finished with 67.4% of the 10 million ballots cast.
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Steve Wilson has been an award-winning writer and editor for nearly 20 years at newspapers in Georgia, Florida and Mississippi and is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and University of Alabama graduate. Wilson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
