Florida is currently experiencing significant attention regarding its abortion battles, with widespread support for abortion access in the state. However, this support does not necessarily make Florida a presidential battleground, as other issues such as the economy, inflation, and immigration are more impactful on the contest at the moment. Florida voters tend to believe they will be better off financially with Donald Trump leading in his bid to carry the state for a third term.
While there is strong support for abortion access in Florida, the issue is not as crucial for likely voters as the economy and inflation. Additionally, Trump’s stance on abortion has not significantly impacted his support among voters, as many do not attribute blame or credit to him for Roe’s overturn. Moreover, there is no consensus on the implications of a Trump vote regarding abortion access. Despite efforts to make abortion legal everywhere from President Biden, there are segments of Republicans and Trump voters who believe abortion should be allowed in some circumstances.
Regarding turnout, infrequent voters are not more motivated by the abortion issue compared to more regular voters. There is majority support for establishing a constitutional right to abortion in Florida, although there is uncertainty regarding a specific amendment. Women, in particular, express concerns that extend to all reproductive health care if the amendment does not pass, with most voters believing that access to care will become harder, especially among women.
When it comes to the candidates’ mental and cognitive health, Trump is seen as having the capability to serve as president, more so than Biden. Florida’s older voters, who make up a significant portion of the population, believe only Trump has the ability to serve, while young people are more likely to question the competency of both candidates. Additionally, a marijuana legalization amendment is finding support among young people and all age groups under 65.
Key groups, such as Hispanic voters, are favoring Trump over Biden due to concerns about their financial well-being under a Biden presidency. Governor Ron DeSantis has a split approval rating among Florida voters, with strong backing from Republicans despite running against their preferred presidential candidate. Senator Rick Scott is comfortably ahead in a potential Senate matchup. Overall, the divided opinions on issues such as DeSantis’ efforts against “woke” policies and marijuana legalization show the partisan divide in Florida politics.
