As we all know from the 280,694 texts we received since this time last year, we just had an election.

In fact, 280,694 is also the amount of people who voted in Sarasota out of 333,464 registered voters. That is an 84% voter turnout.

Comparatively, in the last General (Presidential) Election, there was an 80.09% turn out with 272,368 people voting in Sarasota…so I guess you could say people were more motivated than ever?

I wonder why.

But I digress.

I see a gap between registered voters, actual voters, and actual residents – so I thought I would share some of the results to hopefully further motivate people.

None of these are complete surprises, so let’s move on because my opinion on that really isn’t important after these decisions have been made. Anyway –

This election also had 6 amendments to our constitution. You can read an old, but still correct, blog post on Constitutional Amendments should you be so inclined.

Here’s what happened this year:

Amendment 1: Would have made School Board Elections partisan – putting a party label next to their name on the ballot.

RESULT: Did not pass, with 55% of voters in favor of it.

Amendment 2: Confirmed that hunters have solid rights in the state of FL. The people of Florida have confirmed a universal right to hunting and fishing as the primary means of wildlife control.

RESULT: Passed, with 67% of voters in favor of it.

Amendment 3: Would have legalized marijuana for recreational use across the state

RESULT: Did not pass, with 56% of voters in favor of it.

Amendment 4:  Aimed to provide a state constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability

RESULT: Did not pass, with 58% of voters in favor of it.

Amendment 5: Allows the homestead exemption tax of 1 of 2 exemptions for homeowners to be influenced by inflation.

RESULT: Passed, with 66% of voters in favor of it.

Amendment 6: was about using state funds to support some specific campaigns in our state. It’s actually pretty interesting to us policy wonks given it’s history, but either way…

RESULT: Did not pass, with 50% of voters in favor of it. We will continue to cap and use state funds for specific statewide elections for valiant reasons.

Lastly, an overwhelming 84% of voters decided to continue the School District Millage Referendum, putting additional dollars in our Sarasota County School District to support teacher salaries, additional school time, and enrichment education for our students.

Like you, I have big feelings about this election that I am channeling with information sharing and escaping into fantasy books and away from real life. Comment below with your opinions, because even though mine don’t matter to the finalized election…yours always matters to me.