Florida’s early voting turnout is running strong, and much of that energy is coming from Democratic voters. Gov. Ron DeSantis has even pointed out that turnout is lagging in Republican-heavy counties like Polk County, which holds roughly 60,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats. On paper, it looks like a shift is underway.
The experts aren’t convinced, though. Republicans in Florida have surged on Election Day itself in recent cycles, and President Trump’s sustained criticism of mail-in voting has pushed many GOP voters to wait and cast ballots in person on November 3. USF professor Susan MacManus describes Florida as a red state with different shades of red, and UCF’s Aubrey Jewett also expects Republicans to close the gap when polls open.
For Suncoast voters, the practical takeaway is that early numbers show enthusiasm, not outcomes. With in-person voting on November 3 and margins that could stay tight statewide, every ballot from Sarasota to Manatee to Charlotte County matters. Have you already voted, or are you waiting for Election Day? Let us know in the comments.
