FLORIDA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
APPLAUDS
HIGH COURT'S OVERTHROW OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 ON DEATH PENALTY
Tallahassee, FL (September 7, 2000) — We welcome this courageous decision issued today by the Florida Supreme Court in the case of Armstrong, et al., Vs. Harris, in which the Court found that the 1998 ballot summary before voters was inaccurate and that the Amendment must be stricken. This ruling, which cancels the initiative put on the ballot by the Florida Legislature, well illustrates the protection offered the citizenry through the separation of powers doctrine.
Because of its
misleading Title (Preserving the Death Penalty) and inaccurate ballot summary, it was not
possible for voters to know the full effect of Amendment 2. In casting a vote on this
measure, the voters had no recourse but to conclude that the death penalty in Florida was
in jeopardy; clearly it was not. Worse perhaps, were the amendment’s proposed changes
to the State Constitution not reflected in the ballot summary that would have changed
Florida’s existing prohibition on "cruel or unusual punishment" to
"cruel and unusual." This provision would have applied not only to
the death penalty but across the criminal code. Those voting on Amendment 2 were not
apprised of this proposed change which would have resulted in chaos and confusion in our
judicial system. Regardless of how one may feel about the death penalty, a vote to change
the Constitution must be made in the full light of day.
We applaud the action by the Court in rendering this decision today.
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The Florida Catholic Conference is an agency of the Catholic Bishops, established in 1969. It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy, serves as liaison to government and the legislature, and coordinates communications and activities between the church and secular agencies. The Bishops of the seven dioceses of Florida constitute its Board of Directors.