The Ballot for Nov. 8

Here are the candidates in 15 local and state races, along with five proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and two proposed changes in Alachua County's charter and ordinances. Judicial retention is not addressed in the Voter Guide.
You can choose Overview for a quick idea of what's on the ballot in Alachua County, then return to this ballot, which will lead you to more in-depth coverage of the candidates and the issues. Just select the candidate or issue for profiles, answers to questions posed by The Gainesville Sun city desk editors and other information. Of special interest are the constitutional amendments, where you will find explanations by the Florida League of Women Voters.
Click on How to Use This Guide, Important Voter Information or Precinct List to go elsewhere in The Gainesville Sun 1994 Voter Guide.

The Races

U.S. Senator

U.S. Congress, 3rd District

U.S. Congress, 5th District

Governor and Lt. Governor

Secretary of State

Attorney General

Comptroller

Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner

Commissioner of Education

Commissioner of Agriculture

State Senator, 4th District

State Representative, 22nd District

State Representative, 23rd District

County Commissioner, 4th District

School Board Member, 5th District

Amendment 1, Florida Constitution

Start of the regular sessions of the Legislature
Proposing an amendment to the state constitution, effective upon approval, to provide that the annual 60-day regular sessions of the Legislature begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of March.
Your choice will be YES to approve this amendment or NO to reject it.
Select ProCon for a report on this issue prepared by the Florida League of Women Voters.

Amendment 2, Florida Constitution

Limitation on state revenue collections
Limits state revenue collections to the prior year's allowed revenue plus an adjustment for growth based on the growth rate of state personal income over the preceding five years, with excess collections deposited in the budget stabilization fund until fully funded and then refunded to taxpayers. Defines "state revenues." Allows the Legislature to increase this limit by 2/3 vote. Requires adjustment of the limitation to reflect transfers of responsibility for funding governmental functions.
Your choice will be YES to approve this amendment or NO to reject it.
Select ProCon for a report on this issue prepared by the Florida League of Women Voters.

Amendment 3, Florida Constitution

Limiting marine net fishing
Limits the use of nets for catching saltwater finfish, shellfish or other marine animals by prohibiting the use of gill and other entangling nets in all Florida waters, and prohibiting the use of other nets larger than 500 square feet in mesh area in nearshore and inshore Florida waters. Provides definitions, administrative and criminal penalties, and exceptions for scientific and governmental purposes.
Your choice will be YES to approve this amendment or NO to reject it.
Select ProCon for a report on this issue prepared by the Florida League of Women Voters.

Amendment 4, Florida Constitution

Revenue limits: May people's amendments limiting government revenue be allowed to cover multiple subjects?
This provision would expand the people's rights to initiate constitutional changes limiting the power of government to raise revenue by allowing amendments to cover multiple subjects. This provision is effective immediately after voter approval for amendments effective thereafter.
Your choice will be YES to approve this amendment or NO to reject it.
Select ProCon for a report on this issue prepared by the Florida League of Women Voters.

Amendment 8, Florida Constitution

Limited casinos
Authorizing a limited number of gaming casinos in Broward, Dade, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lee, Orange, Palm Beach and Pinellas counties, with two in Miami Beach; and limited-size casinos with existing and operating pari-mutuel facilities; and if authorized by the Legislature up to five limited-size riverboat casinos in the remaining counties, but only one per county. Effective upon adoption, but prohibiting casino gaming until July 1, 1995.
Your choice will be YES to approve this amendment or NO to reject it.
Select ProCon for a report on this issue prepared by the Florida League of Women Voters.

Alachua County Charter Amendment 1

Prohibiting inclusion of "Sexual Orientation," "Sexual Preference," or any similar classification in any county ordinance.
Shall Section 2.2(D) of the Alachua County Charter be amended to provide that the Board of County Commissioners shall not adopt any ordinance creating classifications based upon sexual orientation, sexual preference, or similar characteristics, except as necessary to conform county ordinances to federal or state law? Your choices are:

YES to approve this amendment, which would prohibit sexual orientation or sexual preference from being introduced as part of any future county laws, or
NO to reject it, which would mean future county laws could include sexual orientation or sexual preference classifications.

Select Sun Story for a report on this issue prepared by The Gainesville Sun.

Initiative Ordinance 1

Initiative Ordinance to repeal Alachua County Ordinance 93-12.
Shall initiative Ordinance 94-__ be approved, which ordinance will repeal Alachua County Ordinance 93-12 and delete "sexual orientation" as a protected classification in the Alachua County Human Rights Ordinance and Fair Housing Ordinance, Articles II and III of Chapter 111 of the Alachua County Code of Ordinances?

Your choices are:

YES, to approve this initiative, which will repeal an existing ordinance that protects the rights of people on the basis of sexual orientation, or
NO, to reject the initatiative, leaving the ordinance in place.

Select Sun Story for a report on this issue prepared by The Gainesville Sun.

Source: Alachua County Supervisor of Elections