A lawsuit has been filed in the Leon County Circuit Court, alleging that the ballot language for a proposed property tax amendment in Florida is intentionally misleading. The complaint, filed by the non-profit group Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot Language, Inc., and two former mayors, targets Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Attorney General James Uthmeier.

Allegations of Misleading Language

The lawsuit claims that the ballot title, ‘SAVE OUR HOMES FROM EXCESSIVE PROPERTY TAXES,’ and its accompanying summary are unconstitutionally biased and fail to meet Florida’s strict legal standards for ballot clarity. The plaintiffs argue that the ballot language acts as a political endorsement rather than an objective explainer, and that it contains factual inaccuracies regarding the amendment’s effects.

The lawsuit highlights several areas where the ballot summary is allegedly misleading, including claims that the amendment will ‘ensure funding for core services’ and ‘protect small businesses.’ However, the lawsuit argues that the amendment will actually decrease revenues available to local governments to fund core services, and that small businesses are not specifically protected in the constitutional text.

Call for Neutral Language

The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the current ballot statement defective and to order the Attorney General to redraft the text to ensure it remains neutral, objective, and accurate. The lawsuit emphasizes that the integrity of the voting process depends on transparent language, and that voters are entitled to a fair and clear ballot statement to assist them in making informed decisions.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.