Florida Early Vote Shows Tight Party Turnout Ahead of Election Day

More than 4.5 million Floridians had cast ballots by October 30, as early voting neared its close and attention turned to the state’s competitive races. In Miami-Dade, voters described early voting as convenient and less crowded than Election Day; some said they preferred to deliver mail ballots in person. The final days for casting ballots early are Saturday in Monroe County, followed by Sunday in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

University of Florida Election Lab figures indicate a modest Republican advantage over Democrats among early ballots. Political scientist Sean Foreman said that differs from the national pattern, where Democrats have been voting early in greater numbers. He cautioned that party registration figures do not show how people voted, while noting that Florida’s Republican registration rolls exceed the Democratic count by about 1.5 million.

Foreman compared the close turnout picture with the 2018 governor’s race, which Ron DeSantis won by one percentage point. He said the current figures point to competitive statewide contests but do not settle their outcome. Democrats, he said, need to turn out their voters and win support from independents and voters unaffiliated with a party. The early-vote numbers are also being examined for what they could mean in three closely watched congressional races.

Broward County officials are preparing polling sites and reminding voters to use their assigned precinct on Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; voters who are in line by closing time will be allowed to vote.