How Tallahassee Became Florida's Capital, and How the Old Capitol Was Saved
Tallahassee was picked in 1824 as a midpoint between two colonial capitals. A 1977 tower nearly cost the state its historic Capitol.
Florida's Constitution Revision Commission Meets Every 20 Years. Here's What It Does
A 37-member panel can put constitutional changes directly on Florida’s ballot. Its last round in 2018 drew lawsuits over bundling. It returns in 2037.
Florida's Line-Item Veto: How the Governor Cuts the Budget, and Why Overrides Are Rare
The governor can strike single items from Florida’s budget. This year’s veto list cut nearly $810 million, and overrides remain uncommon.
How a Bill Becomes Law in Florida, From Filing to the Governor's Desk
Florida’s 160 lawmakers get 60 days a year to pass bills. Here is how committees, floor votes, governor deadlines and veto overrides work.
Early voting in Florida, explained: Required days, optional days and hours
State law requires eight days of early voting, lets counties add up to six more, and caps daily hours at 12. Here’s how the rules evolved.
Why 57% isn't enough: The history of Florida's 60% rule for amendments
Florida’s 60% threshold passed in 2006 with just 57.78%. Since then, majority-backed measures on marijuana and abortion have failed.
Florida 2000, explained: 537 votes, butterfly ballots and the reforms that followed
How a 537-vote margin, punch cards and Bush v. Gore led to Florida’s 2001 election overhaul and the federal Help America Vote Act.
Amendment 4, explained: How Florida restored felon voting rights, then added fees
Nearly 65% of voters backed Amendment 4 in 2018. A 2019 law tied voting to paying fines and fees, and a federal appeals court upheld it.
Fair Districts, explained: How Florida's anti-gerrymandering rules fared in court
Voters added Fair Districts rules in 2010. Courts forced a 2015 redraw, then upheld the 2022 map that dismantled North Florida’s District 5.
Florida homeowners pay the nation’s highest average insurance premium
Florida homeowners pay the highest average homeowners premium in the nation. Four laws since 2019 aimed to fix the market. Here is what the record shows.
Hope Florida: Following the $10 million. Coming soon
A sourced look at the Hope Florida grand jury findings and the officials tied to them. Coming soon.
Tampa Bay Voter Guide 2026: How to vote, county by county
Dates, deadlines and what's on your ballot Nov. 3 in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota and Citrus counties.
Florida Man News Network is becoming a newsroom
Independent, sourced news for Tampa Bay and Florida. Coming soon. Check back shortly.