Opinion ID: 1708176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Inconsistent language in the title and summary

Text: Opponent argues that the title and summary are inconsistent with the language of the actual amendment. The amendment states that the identity of patients ... shall not be disclosed, while the summary states that the amendment provides that patients' identitie [sic] should not be disclosed. Opponent argues that while the term shall is, to most people, a mandatory instruction, the term should is more vague. Thus, reasonable voters could assume that the use of the term should means that nondisclosure is the ideal, but that under some circumstances patients' identities may be available. We conducted an in-depth analysis of a similar inconsistent language issue in Advisory Op. to Att'y Gen. re Amendment to Bar Government from Treating People Differently Based on Race in Public Education, 778 So.2d at 897. The question in such a case is whether the discrepancy between the terms is material and misleading. Given the context in which should is used in the ballot summary, we do not believe the language will be misleading to voters.