America Amplified

You should check the status of your mail-in ballot to make sure your vote will count this year. Check your local Supervisor of Elections website to make sure there are no issues with your signature.

The groups promoting abortion-rights amendments on the ballots in nine states have outraised their opponents by more than 6 to 1 and are spending far more on ads. The majority of the money is being raised and spent around the question before voters in Florida.

Amendment 6 requires the approval of at least 60% of Florida voters.

Over the next several days, voters in 10 states will decide whether to enshrine the right to abortion in their constitutions. One of those states is here in Florida where most abortions after six weeks are currently banned. Some states just require a majority vote to pass ballot measures. In Florida, that threshold is higher.

Presidential candidate ad spending usually is in the tens of millions of dollars in Florida. Not this year. Not by a wide margin.

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker extended a temporary restraining order Tuesday, siding with Floridians Defending Freedom. The group created the ads promoting the ballot question that would add abortion rights to the state constitution if it passes Nov. 5. Walker is extending an order that bars Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo from taking any further action to coerce or intimidate broadcasters that run the commercials.

In at least eight House races and two Senate races statewide those Democratic candidates don't live in the legislative districts where they are running, according to recent voter registrations, candidate filings and other government records.

Supporters of the measure have raised significantly more money than opponents, and political experts think the proposal likely will receive the required support of 60% of voters to pass.

Sarasota, Manatee and Hernando counties will be voting to continue their current property taxes, while Pinellas is looking to double their rate to match them.

Counties across the region, and especially Pinellas, have faced significant challenges after being hit by two hurricanes that damaged polling places and facilities.

One poll shows first-time District 13 incumbent Republican Anna Paulina Luna is in a dead heat with Pinellas challenger Whitney Fox.

Ahead of the contested November election, pro-choice advocacy groups are urging Hispanic voters to support Amendment 4, which would make access to abortion — before fetal viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health — a state constitutional right.