Florida School Board Elections: Potential Shift to Partisan System Under Amendment 1
Florida School Board Elections Could Become Partisan Under Amendment 1
In a significant shift, Florida school board elections may soon become partisan if voters approve Amendment 1 in the upcoming November election. For nearly thirty years, these elections have been nonpartisan, but this amendment could change that landscape.
Supporters of the amendment argue that making school board elections partisan would increase transparency in crucial areas such as building projects, school calendars, curricula, and teacher pay. However, opponents express concerns that this change could alienate independent voters.
To pass, Amendment 1 requires the approval of 60 percent of voters in the general election. If successful, the amendment would only apply to elections held after the November 2026 general election.
The push for this change came from a resolution passed by the Florida Legislature in the spring of 2023, with Governor Ron DeSantis advocating for the shift to partisan school board elections. Republican Rep. Dean Black, a co-sponsor of the resolution, believes that this move will help voters make more informed decisions in these crucial races.
One first-time candidate, Vanessa Chaviano, running for the Lee County School Board District 7 seat, supports Amendment 1. As a registered Republican, she believes voters deserve to know the party affiliations of the candidates they are choosing from.
However, not everyone is in favor of this change. Jennifer Jenkins, a Brevard School Board member, has launched a PAC to combat the politicization of school board elections. She believes that making these elections partisan could limit the choices for independent voters and lead to closed primaries.
Steve Hough, the director of Florida Fair and Open Primaries, also opposes Amendment 1, citing concerns about restricting independent voters from having a voice in the election process.
With more than 3.5 million independent voters in Florida, the outcome of Amendment 1 could have a significant impact on future school board elections in the state. As the November election approaches, the debate over partisan versus nonpartisan school board elections continues to be a hot topic among voters and candidates alike.
