CLAY COUNTY — Unlike last month's primary election, which had very few choices on the ballot, the General Election on Nov. 5 will involve many critical decisions.

In addition to picking a sheriff, school board member and a host of community development members, voters will pick the next president, Florida Senator and House Representative, state representative, two Supreme Court justices, seven district Court of Appeal justices, six state amendments and one county amendment.

Therefore, Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless said it’s essential for registered voters to be informed before they enter the voting booth. Amendments are posted at clayelections.gov/Election-Information/Amendments.

The six state amendments are:

One – Would make school board candidates declare political affiliations.

Two – The state constitution should enshrine the right to hunt and fish.

Three – Would legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

Four – Would legalize abortion before fetal viability or when deemed necessary for the health of the mother.

Five – Would add an inflation adjustment to homestead tax exemption.

Six – Involves campaign finance and repeals public education financing.

There also is a county amendment to protect the environment. It reads:

CLAY COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION REFERENDUM TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT, FORESTS AND FARMS To acquire and manage lands that protect water quality in rivers, lakes, creeks, and drinking water sources; conserve wildlife habitat, natural areas, and working forests and farms; reduce flooding; and provide outdoor recreation, shall Clay County issue general obligation bonds up to $45 million, maturing within 20 years, bearing interest not exceeding legal maximum rates, payable from ad valorem tax up to 0.2 mills, with annual audits, citizen oversight, and full public disclosure of spending?

Clay Today will explain each amendment more straightforwardly as we approach the election.

Also, the deadline to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 4. You can register or update your current registration at registertovoteflorida.gov/home. For more registration information, visit clayelections.gov.

The deadline to request a vote by mail from the supervisor's office is 5 p.m., 12 days before the General Election. A ballot must be returned before the polls close on the day of the General Election.

Even if you request to vote by mail ballot, you can still vote at the polls. However, you can only vote once, and the state uses a computerized registry that allows a registered voter to cast only one ballot.