Florida’s Legislature is eyeing changes to the ballot initiative process after last year’s intense fight over two proposed amendments on abortion access and recreational marijuana. Opponents say the bill would consolidate more power in the hands of Tallahassee and monied special interests.

Florida’s ballot initiative process has a higher threshold than many states that allow residents to amend their constitutions. It requires almost a million signatures for a proposal to get on the ballot and support from 60 percent of voters to pass it. Both Abortion and Pot failed in 2024, with 56 and 57 percent support.

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee introduced a comprehensive election bill on Friday (SB 7016) that includes provisions that Republican lawmakers say are intended to reduce fraud and “safeguard the process” by which amendments are placed on the ballot.