Gainesville leaders push back on proposed state property tax amendment

A proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would lower property taxes and restrict local government spending is drawing criticism from Gainesville and Alachua County officials, who warn it would reduce funding for local services. The Alligator reports that local leaders argue the measure would harm the quality of life in Florida communities. The amendment is also among the state-level issues being tracked alongside other policy debates heading into the next election cycle.

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Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator · The Gainesville Sun

Early voting begins in Florida as experts warn turnout hard to predict

Early voting opened August 3 in about ten Florida counties, with more than half a million vote-by-mail ballots already returned out of over 1.3 million sent out statewide. Political science experts say historical patterns suggest roughly a quarter to a third of registered voters will participate in the August 18 election, but caution that forecasting Florida elections has grown increasingly unreliable. Analysts note the contest will also serve as a signal of the direction Florida Democrats are heading.

Sources: WCJB TV20