Florida school board elections may become partisan under new amendment

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A constitutional amendment set for the November ballot in Florida could shift school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan races. If passed, candidates would be required to list their political party affiliations starting in 2026. The amendment, backed by Republican lawmakers, is seen as a way to provide voters with more information.

Opponents, including teachers and Democrats, argue that introducing partisanship would bring political division and excessive campaign spending into school board elections, which should focus on education. They warn that voters might rely solely on party affiliation rather than researching candidates’ policies.

Proponents of the amendment, like Rep. Spencer Roach, claim it’s about transparency, not political control. They argue that voters deserve to know a candidate's political leanings. If approved, the amendment could change how local school boards are elected, impacting voters and candidates who are unaffiliated with a political party.

The amendment requires a 60% majority to pass and will appear alongside other significant issues like marijuana legalization and abortion rights.