The Issues That Decided the 2024 Election in Florida

The 2024 election in Florida was one of the most closely watched in the nation, and the issues that shaped voters’ decisions were a mix of longstanding concerns and emerging challenges. Florida’s diverse electorate, with its large Latino population, a significant number of retirees, and growing suburban middle class, gave weight to certain issues that ultimately played a decisive role in the election outcomes. 

Exit polls and surveys from the 2024 Florida election revealed the key issues that voters identified as most critical in shaping their decision on Election Day. From economic concerns to debates over immigration and crime, these issues reflected the state’s political climate and the national trends that influenced voters’ choices. Here’s a look at the most important issues facing Floridians in 2024 and how they influenced the election results.

The Economy (41%)

The economy was by far the most important issue for Florida voters in 2024, with 41% of respondents naming it as the most critical challenge facing the country. As a state with a diverse economy—ranging from agriculture to tourism, real estate, and finance—Florida’s economic performance was top of mind for many residents. 

The economy has been a central issue in Florida for years, and in 2024, it dominated the conversation. For many voters, concerns about inflation, rising costs of living, and job security were key factors in deciding which candidate to support. Florida voters, many of whom are retirees or small business owners, were particularly focused on issues like taxes, wages, and the stability of the housing market. The state’s robust tourism industry, which faced volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic, also remained a point of contention. 

Donald Trump’s campaign emphasized his economic policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, while framing his opponent’s policies as a threat to economic recovery. Kamala Harris leaned into a message focused on expanding healthcare access, improving wage growth, and strengthening social safety nets as solutions to economic hardship.

Immigration (23%)

Immigration was the second most important issue in the 2024 election, with 23% of voters in Florida identifying it as their primary concern. Florida has long been a destination for immigrants, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean, and issues around immigration policy are always a hot-button issue in the state. 

In 2024, immigration became a key point of division between the two major candidates. Trump, ran on a platform of strengthening border security, building a wall, and implementing stricter immigration laws to curb illegal immigration. Trump’s rhetoric, which has often included calls for reducing immigration and reinforcing national security, resonated strongly with voters in areas like Miami-Dade. 

On the other hand, Harris advocated for pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and calling for reform of the nation’s immigration system to make it more personal and efficient. While Democrats faced challenges in winning over voters concerned about illegal immigration, their appeal to Latino voters helped them maintain a foothold in the state. 

Immigration policy was especially salient in the state’s larger cities and along the southern border with Latin America, where concerns about the impact of immigration on local jobs, schools, and healthcare were frequently raised.

Crime (12%)

Crime was another significant issue for voters, with 12% of Floridians identifying it as one of the most important issues in the election. Florida’s growing cities have seen rising concerns about crime, particularly violent crime and property crime in urban areas like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. 

Trump, consistently pointed to law and order as central tenets of their platform, promising to take a tough stance on crime and support law enforcement agencies. Trump’s law-and-order rhetoric, which often framed crime because of liberal policies on policing and criminal justice, played well in suburban and rural areas, where safety concerns were particularly acute. 

In contrast, Harris focused on police reform and addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of access to mental health care. While Harris campaigned on policies that emphasized social justice and criminal justice reform, concerns about rising crime in certain parts of the state may have led some voters to favor candidates who promised more aggressive approaches to law enforcement.

Abortion (9%)

Abortion emerged as a significant issue for a portion of Florida’s electorate, with 9% of voters citing it as a top concern. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion policy became a critical point of contention in many state and national elections. 

Florida voters were divided on the issue, with Republican candidates pushing for restrictions on abortion and the right to life, while Democratic candidates sought to protect access to abortion and reproductive rights. The battle over abortion laws, including Florida’s 15-week ban, became a rallying cry for pro-choice voters, particularly in urban and suburban areas with larger female voting blocs. 

Healthcare (8%)

Healthcare remained an important issue, though it ranked lower in priority compared to the economy, immigration, and crime, with 8% of voters identifying it as their top concern. In a state with a large population of seniors and retirees, healthcare issues—especially access to affordable care—took center stage in the 2024 election. 

Harris’s campaign focused on expanding healthcare coverage, particularly through reforms to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and promoting policies to lower prescription drug costs and expand Medicaid in states like Florida that had not yet expanded the program. Democrats also emphasized the importance of addressing mental health and substance abuse services, areas that were seen as critical in tackling the broader healthcare crisis. 

Trump, argued for the repeal of the ACA and a move toward a more market-driven healthcare system. Trump’s emphasis on lowering taxes and reducing government involvement in healthcare was aimed at voters who were skeptical of expanded government programs.

Other Issues

Other issues that played a role in Florida’s election, though with lower percentages of importance, included climate change, foreign policy, gun policy, and racism. 

• Climate change was particularly important for voters in coastal areas where rising sea levels and the increasing frequency of hurricanes have prompted more discussions on environmental policy. 

• Foreign policy was not a top concern for most Floridians but was still a topic of interest, especially regarding the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the implications for the U.S. economy and security. 

• Gun policy emerged as a critical issue for some voters, especially in the wake of high-profile shootings and the ongoing national debate about gun control measures. 

• Racism was a concern for many voters in Florida, particularly in minority communities, and was frequently discussed to police reform and social justice initiatives. 

The 2024 election in Florida was shaped by a complex set of issues that resonated with different groups of voters across the state. The economy, immigration, and crime were the top three concerns, reflecting the state’s diverse electorate and the particular challenges Floridians face. While issues like healthcare, abortion, and climate change played significant roles in shaping voting behavior, they did not dominate the conversation in the same way as the economy and law enforcement did. 

Ultimately, the election results reflected how voters prioritized their concerns about their economic well-being, national security, and the direction of the country, highlighting the political polarization and the stakes of the 2024 race. 

 Source: https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/florida/?r=0