By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune Published: October 03, 2012 Updated: October 03, 2012 - 12:00 AM

It's been surprisingly quiet around the state regarding Amendment 1, a constitutional proposal to block the controversial insurance mandate in the federal health care law.

From the presidential race on down, politicians have been predictably strident about this hot-button issue. But it's hard to find yard signs, advertisements or campaign literature about this amendment, which, as conceived, would prevent Florid-ians or their employers from being required to get health insurance.

Both proponents and critics have decided to put their campaign money and energy elsewhere, since a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June renders the Florida amendment moot.

Instead, groups are quietly urging a yes or no vote in election guides and with a handful of guest columns in Florida media.

"It basically will be on the books, and that's it," Rachel Morgan, senior policy specialist for the national Conference of State Legislatures, said of the Amendment 1 vote.

But the quiet debate doesn't mean the amendment has lost its political urgency, said Laura Goodhue, executive director of Florida CHAIN, a health care advocacy group that is against Amendment 1.

A "yes" vote could be used politically by legislative leaders, Goodhue said. Those vying to repeal the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or file new lawsuits could use it as ammunition, she said.

"We're concerned because the state has really tried everything they can do in their power to see that residents don't see the benefits of the Affordable Care Act," Goodhue said of the ballot issue, which needs a 60 percent "yes" vote to be added to the Florida Constitution.

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Court ruling takes teeth out of health care amendment