Five Volusia County Charter Amendments Are on the Nov. 3 Ballot: What Each One Does

Along with County Council races, Volusia voters will be asked to decide five proposed changes to the county charter, the document that works like the county's constitution. They were advanced by the county's Charter Review Commission and placed on the ballot by the County Council after public hearings in May and June.

Amendment 1: Council structure and chair

Restructures the County Council to include five district members and two at-large members, with the chair chosen annually by the elected council members, and adds stricter term limits.

Amendment 2: Expense reimbursement

Removes charter language that prevents council members from being reimbursed for work-related expenses, whether in the county or out of it.

Amendment 3: Constitutional officers

Updates the charter to match Florida's 2018 Constitutional Amendment 10 on county constitutional officers.

Amendment 4: Personnel rules

Takes detailed personnel administration requirements out of the charter so the council can set them by ordinance instead.

Amendment 5: Conservation land registry

Creates a registry of protected conservation lands. Adding or removing properties would require a supermajority vote of the council, with exceptions for eminent domain takings and county use.

Reading the ballot

Each amendment appears as a separate question. Voters can read the full ballot language at the Supervisor of Elections website or call 386-736-5930. Early voting runs Oct. 19 to 31.

The Volusia Voice will continue to cover the ballot as Election Day approaches.