Florida, a once pivotal swing state in presidential elections, has become reliably Republican in recent years. The state has not voted for a Democrat in the Electoral College since former President Barack Obama’s narrow victory in 2012. Republican former President Donald Trump won Florida in both 2016 and 2020, with the state’s 30 electoral votes playing a key role in his path to victory. In the 2022 elections, Republicans further solidified their hold on the state with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio winning reelection. Additionally, Florida voters will decide whether Republican Rick Scott should have another term in the U.S. Senate, facing a challenge from Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
In addition to the top races, voters in Florida will also consider a handful of proposed amendments to the state’s constitution. These include Amendment 4, which would protect abortion rights in the state, and Amendment 3, which seeks to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. The shift in voter registration is also notable, as Republicans have overtaken Democrats in registration for the first time in over 50 years. As of August, Republicans hold a lead of about 1 million voters in the state.
Election analysts will be closely monitoring voter turnout in Florida, a state that was affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton leading up to Election Day. The Associated Press does not make projections and will only declare a winner when there is no scenario in which the trailing candidates can close the gap. With the upcoming 2024 election in Florida, key information includes the Election Day on November 5th, the closing time for polls, and the key races and candidates to watch, including President Harris vs. Trump and the U.S. Senate race between Scott and Mucarsel-Powell. Additionally, voters will decide on ballot measures such as legalizing marijuana and protecting abortion rights.
Looking back at past presidential results, Florida voted for Trump in 2020 with 51% of the vote, while Democrat Joe Biden received 48%. Voter registration numbers as of September 30, 2024, show about 32% Democrats, 39% Republicans, and 26% unaffiliated voters. The turnout in the November 2020 elections was 77% of registered voters. Pre-Election Day voting has been on the rise, with about 83% of the total vote cast before Election Day in 2020, 65% in 2022, and the numbers for 2024 still to be determined.
As Florida gears up for the 2024 election, the timeline for vote-counting is an important factor to consider. In past elections, the first votes were reported at around 7:04 p.m. ET, with about 99% of total votes cast reported by midnight. The Associated Press is providing coverage of the election and receives support from private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. The AP’s democracy initiative aims to provide clear and accurate information to help voters understand the election process and make informed decisions.
