Early Voting Underway; Here's What You Need To Know

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- Pinellas County is encouraging voters to get educated about the local impacts of constitutional amendments appearing on the Florida ballot, especially Amendments 1 and 2.

Both amendments would have a significant impact on local property taxes and on government funds locally and around the state, according to the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

To help residents get educated before the vote, the county has launched a website, which explains how these proposals would affect property owners and government services. The Pinellas County Property Appraiser also has an online tool, which allows residents to determine if they qualify for the third homestead exemption proposed under Amendment 1.

Educational videos and graphics are available on Pinellas County’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Florida Amendment 1 would add a third homestead exemption for a limited portion of properties on assessed value from $100,000 to $125,000. Lower assessed homes, renters and businesses would not qualify. If passed, Amendment 1 is projected to reduce local government funds countywide by $42.5 million annually starting in fiscal year 2020.

Only about half of homestead properties in Pinellas (or one-third of all homes) would qualify for the proposed third homestead exemption under #Amendment1.

Florida Amendment 2 would make permanent the current 10 percent cap on assessed value for non-homestead properties, such as businesses and rental properties. That cap is set to expire at the end of the year if voters do not choose to extend it.

Both proposals require 60 percent voter approval statewide to pass.

Information on early voting locations and sample ballots are available at the Supervisor of Elections website.

Early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Early voting locations are:

* Centre of Palm Harbor, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor
* Supervisor of Elections Office: County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Room 117, Clearwater
(voter parking spots will be designated in courthouse parking lots)
* Supervisor of Elections Office: Election Service Center, 13001 Starkey Road, Starkey Lakes Corporate Center, Largo
* Supervisor of Elections Office: County Building, 501 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg
* Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S, Gulfport.

Image via Pinellas Elections Supervisor

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