Florida is currently facing a contentious battle over abortion access, with widespread support for legal abortion in the state. However, this does not necessarily translate into making Florida a presidential battleground. Voters in Florida rate the state’s economy as mixed and the national economy as bad, with issues such as inflation and immigration having more impact on the contest at the moment. Despite the support for abortion access, voters tend to believe they will be better off financially with Donald Trump, who is leading comfortably in his bid to carry the state for a third straight time.
Abortion is considered important in Florida, with the majority of voters wanting abortion to be legal in most cases. However, when it comes to the presidential race, abortion is not seen as a top priority for likely voters, trailing behind issues such as the economy and inflation. Additionally, there is a partisan divide on the issue, with Democrats caring more about abortion than Republicans. Former President Trump has distanced himself from the issue, with many voters neither blaming nor crediting him for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. This lack of clarity contributes to uncertainty about the implications of a Trump vote regarding abortion access.
President Biden is seen as trying to make abortion legal everywhere, contrasting with Trump’s stance on the issue. Despite this, there are many Republicans and Trump voters who believe abortion should be allowed in some circumstances, aligning with the views of most Democrats. There is also no significant difference in motivation to turn out based on the abortion issue, with infrequent voters not being more likely than regular voters to say the issue motivates them to vote. However, there is majority support for establishing a constitutional right to abortion in Florida, with concerns about access to care increasing if an amendment does not pass.
In addition to abortion, the candidates’ mental and cognitive health are also under scrutiny in Florida. Trump is viewed as having the cognitive health to serve as president, more so than Biden. However, young people stand out as the age group most likely to believe that neither candidate has the ability to serve. The legalization of marijuana is another issue gaining traction in Florida, with support for an amendment to legalize marijuana extending across all age groups under 65. Key groups, such as Hispanic voters, are also influencing the political landscape in Florida, with most Hispanic voters believing they would be worse off financially if Biden wins.
Governor Ron DeSantis is facing split opinions among Florida voters, with approval ratings just edging into positive territory. His efforts against issues he considers “woke” have drawn national attention and divided opinions among Floridians. Incumbent Senator Rick Scott is comfortably ahead in a potential November Senate matchup. Overall, the political landscape in Florida is complex, with various issues and demographics shaping voter opinions in the state.
