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Florida voters will see six constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot along with a non binding vote on Federal spending, and a host of yes or no decisions on whether to retain judges. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, Amendment one would end an almost two decade program of providing statewide candidates with matching funds.

In the 1990s then-governor Lawton Chiles pushed an expanded campaign finance law to compete against growing corporate donations. To qualify, statewide candidates can receive a dollar for dollar match of any contribution under two hundred and fifty dollars that comes from a Florida resident. Amendment one, if approved, would end the program.

There is no organized effort on either side of Amendment one. The amendment was put on the ballot by the state legislature.

But organizations are taking sides. The Florida Public Interest Research Group wants to keep public financing and is urging a no vote.

“The public campaign finance system is a provision for challengers, for people who want to change the system,” Brad Ashwell with FPIRG said.

On the other side, the James Madison Institute is urging a yes vote.

“Money is in short supply and therefore we wonder whether funding candidates’ campaigns should be using public funds,” Bob Sanchez with the James Madison Institute said.

The most the state has every given out was 10 million in 1994. Ag Commissioner candidate Scott Maddox has received about 3 hundred thousand dollars and is happy to have it.

“You’ve got a choice when you run for office: you can sell out to the special interests and the people you regulate or you can raise your money from everyday Floridians,” Maddox said. “The match allows you to raise your money from everyday Floridians and still be competitive.”

To end matching money for candidates, Amendment one must be approved by sixty percent of those voting.