Shared Principles: Comparing the Florida and U.S. Constitutions

Both constitutions enshrine core republican principles:

• Separation of Powers – Executive, legislative, judicial branches.
• Bill of Rights – Individual freedoms (speech, religion, due process, etc.).
• Federalism – Division of powers between national and state governments.
• Supremacy Clause – Federal law/constitution prevails over conflicting state law.
• Checks and Balances – Mutual oversight among branches.
• Amendment Processes – Defined methods for constitutional change.
• Judicial Review – Courts can invalidate unconstitutional laws.
• Individual Rights Protections – Safeguards against arbitrary government action.

Differences exist in specific rights wording, amendment thresholds, and state-specific provisions (e.g., Florida’s privacy right, homestead exemption).