Development decisions about where to build roads, homes and businesses are left up to elected officials, but soon voters could have the final say.

Amendment 4 would require voter approval to change city and county blueprints for growth.

Florida’s Secretary of State certified the Hometown Democracy amendment. Opponents of Amendment 4 said it will stifle growth and deepen the state’s economic woes, according to the Capitol News Service.

Sixty percent of voters will have to approve Amendment 4 for it to become law. There are still 17 months until the election, and both sides will spend millions of dollars to pursue those voters.

John Hedrick a spokesman for Hometown Democracy, said Amendment 4 would encourage smarter growth.

“This is designed to put the citizens back in the driver’s seat," Hedrick said.

Business groups have been fighting to keep Hometown Democracy off the ballot for the past four years. Opponents said if the amendment passes, there would be fewer jobs for construction workers.

Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson said a slowdown in development would deepen the recession.

“What the special interests behind Amendment 4 want is no jobs and no growth, and what the Hometown Democracy amendment would do is it would put tens of thousands of plan amendments on the ballot," Wilson said.

Which would mean many more costly elections.