BROWARD COUNTY – Since 2000, a group of concerned Caribbean-Americans in South Florida, has developed Voters’ Guides to help you 1) select the better candidates who may promote the interests of Caribbean-American people in South Florida, and 2) provide guidance on constitutional ballot amendments.
We have watched various political news programs, read local and national newspapers, attended town hall meetings, and consulted with non-partisan advocacy organizations and local community leaders.
We have assessed the candidates based on their positions on a variety of issues, including, but not limited to, the economy, education, the American justice system, civil rights, healthcare, social services, affirmative action, economic opportunity among others.
Please note that none of the following recommendations should substitute for your own evaluation and research based on your own personal interests and values.
For more information, call Dr. Marcia Magnus, Caribbean American Politically Active Citizens, Founding President 954 454 7473.
See Also: Miami-Dade County Voters’ Guide or Palm Beach County Voters’ Guide
2016 Broward County General Elections Voters’ Guide
PRESIDENT AND VP DEM: Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine
US SENATOR DEM: Patrick Murphy
US CONGRESS (D 20): DEM: Alcee Hastings
US CONGRESS (D 22): DEM: Ted Deutch
US CONGRESS (D 23): DEM: Debbie Wasserman Schultz
US CONGRESS (D 24): DEM: Frederica Wilson
US CONGRESS (D 25): DEM: Alina Valdes
US CONGRESS (D 26): DEM: Joe Garcia
US CONGRESS (D 27): REP: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
FL State Senator (D34): DEM: Gary Farmer
State Rep (D93): DEM: Ken Keechel
State Rep (D103): DEM: Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich
State Rep (D104): DEM: Rick Stark
State Rep (D105): DEM: Patricio Moreno
CLERK OF THE COURT: Brenda Forman
SHERIFF: Scott Israel
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS: Brenda Snipes
Justice of the Supreme Court
Retain Justice Charles Canady YES
Retain Justice Jose Labarga YES
Retain Justice Ricky Poston YES
4th District Court of Appeal
Retain Judge Cory Ciklin YES
Retain Judge Dorian Damoorgian YES
Retain Judge Jonathan Gerber YES
Retain Judge Robert Gross YES
Retain Judge Stephen Levine YES
Retain Melanie May YES
Circuit Judge – 17th Judicial Circuit (Group 9): Lea Krauss
Circuit Judge – 17th Judicial Circuit (Group 15): Abby Rifkin
County Court Judge – Group 3: Florence Barner
County Court Judge – Group 7: Ian Richards
County Court Judge – Group 14: Brad Peterson
County Commission District 3: Michael Udine
County Commission District 9: Dale V.C. Holness
Broward Soil & Water Conservation
District 3: Jelani Harvey
District 5: Fred Segal
South Broward Drainage District
Zone 6: Jack McCluskey
City of Lauderdale Lakes: Mayor Hazelle Rogers
City of Sunrise: Commissioner Mark Douglas
2016 Florida Constitutional Ballot Amendments
Amendment 1 – Solar Energy Choice: NO
A NO vote on Amendment 1 would:
• Leave in Florida statutes the right for consumers to own or lease solar-power equipment on their property to generate electricity for their own use.
• Leave open the possibility that homeowners and businesses could buy or lease solar-power equipment.
• Halt a potential constitutional barrier to new laws that would broaden the solar-power market by allowing solar companies to sell electricity directly to consumers.
• Protect existing rules that allow net metering, where utilities credit a retail rate to customers generating excess solar power that is returned to the electric grid.
Amendment 2 – Use of Medical Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions: YES
A YES vote on Amendment 2 would:
• Create a constitutional right for people with specific “debilitating” conditions – such as cancer, epilepsy, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis – to use marijuana as long as a physician has certified they have one of the specified conditions.
• Require parental consent before a minor could be certified by a physician to receive medical marijuana.
• Permit caregivers to assist patients with marijuana treatments as long as that person possesses a caregiver identification card issued by the states. Caregivers must undergo a background check and are not allowed to use marijuana themselves.
• Require patients and caregivers to get a state-issued ID.
• Retain state and federal prohibitions on recreational marijuana use, as well as prohibitions on operating vehicles and boats while under the influence.
• Create “medical marijuana treatment centers” to cultivate and dispense drugs to certified patients or caregivers.
• Shield physicians from criminal or civil actions for issuing patient certifications.
Amendment 3 – Tax Exemption for Disabled First Responders: YES
A YES vote on Amendment 3 would:
• Authorize the Legislature to grant a property tax exemption on homestead property to first responders who are totally and permanently disabled from injuries sustained in the line of duty.
• Allow the Legislature to decide whether the exemption should provide full or partial relief from property taxes.
• Require a determination that the first responder’s disability was caused by his or her service in the line of duty.
• Have an undetermined impact on local property tax revenues.
Amendment 5 – Homestead exemption for low-income seniors: YES
A YES vote on Amendment 5 would:
• Ensure that low-income seniors who qualify for a city- or county-approved property tax exemption do not lose that exemption if the value of their home exceeds the $250,000 limit.
• Be retroactive to include seniors who received the exemption starting in 2013.
• Cost cities and counties that currently grant the exemption an estimated $2.3 million in fiscal year 2016-17; $500,000 in 2017-18; and eventually $1.2 million in 2020-21.
County Questions
Broward County Charter Review Commission Member Terms And Future Appointment: YES
Amending Charter to Eliminate the Management & Efficiency Study Committee: YES
Funding for Countywide Transportation System – ½% Sales Surtax: YES
Funding for Local Government Infrastructure Projects Through Levy of a ½% Sales Surtax: YES
