Letter from the President
At the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, we believe a strong business community depends on an informed and engaged community. With several important decisions before voters this November, we created the Palm Beach North Chamber 2026 Voter Guide to help you understand what will appear on your ballot.
Inside, you’ll find voter resources and deadlines, information on ways to vote, and an overview of the statewide constitutional amendments and local referendum. For each ballot measure, we’ve included the official ballot language, a straightforward explanation of the proposal, what a “yes” or “no” vote means, and perspectives from supporters and opponents.
Our goal is not to tell you how to vote, but to provide clear, factual information to help you make an informed decision.
The guide also includes candidate endorsements from NorthPAC II, the Chamber’s affiliated political action committee. NorthPAC II conducts its own candidate review and endorsement process, separate from the Chamber.
Whether you vote by mail, during Early Voting, or on Election Day, I encourage you to learn about the issues, understand your ballot, and make your voice heard.
Thank you for being an engaged member of the Palm Beach North community and for helping us build a prosperous region together.
Sincerely,
Noel Martinez
President & CEO
Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce
Voter Resources
2026 General Election | Palm Beach County, Florida
Key Election Information
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Vote-By-Mail Request Deadline: Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Early Voting in Palm Beach County: Monday, October 19 through Sunday, November 1 | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Vote-By-Mail Return Deadline: Your Vote-By-Mail ballot must be received by the Supervisor of Elections Marin Office at 7:00 PM on Election Day (Nov. 3, 2026).
Before You Vote
Before you mail in your ballot or head to the polls this election season, check your voter registration status, polling place, find a sample ballot, check ID requirements, and view the most current vote-by-mail instructions with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office here: https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/169/Voter-Dashboard
Voter registration closes Monday, October 5. For more information on registering to vote, please visit https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/162/Register-to-Vote
Other Official Links
- Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections: https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/
- Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Voter Dashboard: https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/169/Voter-Dashboard
- Florida Division of Elections: https://dos.fl.gov/elections/
2026 Statewide Amendments
In November, Florida voters will have the chance to vote on three Constitutional Amendments:
Amendment 1: Budget Stabilization Fund
Amendment 2: Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation
Amendment 3: Increase Homestead Exemption: Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property
A proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution must receive at least 60% approval from voters casting a vote on that amendment to pass.
County Question – School District
Referendum to Continue Ad Valorem Levy for School Safety, Teachers, and Operational Needs
Official Ballot Language: Shall the School District of Palm Beach County have continued authority to levy 1.00 mills of ad valorem millage for operational needs of public schools dedicated to funding school safety; school police; mental health services; arts, music, physical education, career and choice program teachers; and improved teacher pay beginning July 1, 2027 and automatically ending June 30, 2031, with oversight of all funds by an independent committee of citizens and experts?
Summary: This measure asks Palm Beach County voters whether the School District should continue an existing property tax of 1 mill for four more years, from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031.
The funding would be used for school safety and police, mental health services, arts and music programs, physical education, career and choice program teachers, and increased teacher pay. An independent committee of citizens and experts would oversee how the money is spent.
One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value.
The Chamber Board of Directors has voted to support this question to continue the existing property tax of 1 mill.
Amendment 1
Budget Stabilization Fund
Official Ballot Language: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require the legislature to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to reach 25% of the general revenue collections each year unless certain conditions are met, and allow the legislature to withdraw funds for critical state needs.
Summary: This amendment, proposed by the Florida Legislature, would increase the amount of money Florida can keep in its Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF), commonly considered the state's "rainy day fund." It passed the House 100-1 and the Senate 29-4.
Currently, the Florida Constitution requires the fund to maintain at least 5% of the state's annual general revenue collections and caps the fund at 10%. This amendment would:
- Increase the maximum balance from 10% to 25% of annual revenue collections.
- Require the Legislature to deposit up to $750 million annually into the fund until it reaches the 25% limit.
- Allow withdrawals for emergencies, revenue shortfalls, or certain critical one-time state needs. Withdrawals for a critical state need would require the fund to exceed 15% of revenue collections and approval from two-thirds of the Legislature.
- Allow the Legislature to temporarily suspend the required annual deposit under limited circumstances, including certain critical state needs or when funds are withdrawn for an emergency or revenue shortfall.
The amendment is intended to increase the amount Florida can reserve for future emergencies and financial downturns. The estimated fiscal impact to the state is indeterminate but expected to be insignificant.
A YES VOTE WOULD…
Increase the maximum amount that can be held in Florida’s Budget Stabilization Fund from 10% to 25% of annual revenue collections. It would also require annual deposits of up to $750 million until the fund reaches the 25% limit, establish conditions for when money may be withdrawn, and allow the Legislature to suspend required deposits under certain circumstances.
A NO VOTE WOULD…
Keep the current rules in place, including the 10% maximum on the amount that can be held in the Budget Stabilization Fund.
Amendment 2
Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation
Official Ballot Language: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to exempt tangible personal property habitually located or typically present on land classified as agricultural, used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities, and owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land from ad valorem taxation. If approved this amendment would first apply for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
Summary:
This amendment, proposed by the Florida Legislature, would create a property tax exemption for certain equipment and other tangible personal property used for agriculture or agritourism. It passed the Legislature 110-1 in the House and 37-0 in the Senate.
To qualify, the property must be:
- Located or typically kept on land classified as agricultural;
- Used to produce agricultural products or support agritourism activities; and
- Owned by the owner or leaseholder of the agricultural land.
Tangible personal property generally means physical, movable business property such as machinery, tools, and equipment. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the exemption would first apply to property assessments beginning January 1, 2027.
The Florida Legislature's fiscal analysis estimates the exemption would reduce local government property tax revenues by approximately $31 million annually beginning in FY 2027-28.
A YES VOTE WOULD…
Exempt certain farm and agritourism equipment, tools, and other tangible personal property from property taxes when the property is located on agricultural land, used for agricultural or agritourism purposes, and owned by the landowner or leaseholder.
A NO VOTE WOULD…
Keep the current property tax treatment for this equipment and other tangible personal property, meaning qualifying farm and agritourism property would not receive the new exemption.
Amendment 3
Increased Homestead Exemption: Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments
Official Ballot Language: This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same. Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution. This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.
Summary: Amendment 3 was proposed by the Florida Legislature and would make several changes to Florida’s property tax system beginning January 1, 2027.
The amendment would:
- Increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to up to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 for qualifying homesteads established by December 31, 2026. The exemption would be adjusted for inflation beginning in 2028.
- Require people establishing a Florida homestead on or after January 1, 2027, to wait five years before becoming eligible for the increased exemption.
- Reduce the annual assessment cap for non-homestead residential and non-residential property from 10% to 5%.
- Allow counties and municipalities to establish additional exemptions that could exempt up to the remaining assessed value of homestead property, subject to procedures established by the Legislature.
- Limit how counties and municipalities may use property tax revenue, generally restricting it to specified purposes such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt obligations, employee retirement benefits, and certain government operations.
The proposal would provide property tax reductions for many homestead and non-homestead property owners while also reducing property tax revenue available to local governments. Florida TaxWatch estimates local government revenues across the state would decline by an estimated $45.8 billion over five years.
Local governments could respond to reduced revenue in different ways depending on their individual budgets, including reducing or modifying services, increasing other taxes or fees where legally permitted, using special assessments, or identifying other revenue sources. Potentially affected services could include transportation, parks and recreation, libraries, infrastructure, public health, and other locally funded programs.
For information about who supports or opposes this amendment and to find out how the passage of this Amendment could impact you, your town, and the Palm Beach North business community, visit the Palm Beach North Chamber’s Amendment 3 Resource Page at
A YES VOTE WOULD…
Increase the homestead property tax exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, reduce the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and establish restrictions on how counties and municipalities may use property tax revenue.
A NO VOTE WOULD…
Keep Florida’s current property tax structure in place with no changes.