The transformation of the Sunshine State into a solidly red state has been incredible to witness.
A few election cycles ago, Florida was arguably the most critical battleground state.
Barack Obama took the state in 2008 and 2012, with Trump narrowly beating Hillary Clinton by about 1.2 points in 2016.
Trump defeated Joe Biden in Florida by about 3.4 points in 2020.
However, 2024 could be trending toward absolute domination.
Updated voting totals by party show Republicans outperforming Democrats by a wide margin.
Republicans have roughly a 1.1 million voter lead over Democrats.
JUST IN: Total Florida voting update
🔴 REP: 4,205,170 [+1,103,229]
🔵 DEM: 3,101,941
🟡 NPA: 2,138,136
🟠 OTH: 243,195— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) November 5, 2024
At the time of writing, Republicans have roughly an 11.5% lead over Democrats among all voters.
Only seven out of the state’s 67 counties lean Democrat.
* Image from Florida’s Voice *
Could Trump take Florida by double digits?
It’s a fair question considering the current voter margin.
Some social media users projected a blowout.
BLOWOUT is incoming in Florida.
Trump is up 23% in Election Day voting so far. Miami-Dade County is in the red. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e2tA0I9rBm
— Spoiler Alerts🚫Conspiracies 🙏❤️🇺🇸🦅 (@realJohnHobbs1) November 5, 2024
BLOWOUT numbers coming out of Florida.
Trump up 23% in Election Day voting so far. Miami-Dade County in the red. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sJy7eVdq59
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) November 5, 2024
Florida’s Voice reports:
Heading into Election Day on Tuesday, Florida Republicans now have a beefy lead of over 800,000 voters, or around 10 points.
That is significantly more “red” than the 2020 election, where Democrats enjoyed a lead of a little more than a point heading into Election Day.
In the in-person early vote only, Republicans out-voted Democrats by over one million votes, or around 20 points.
Meanwhile, for mail-in voting, Democrats hold a lead of just under seven points – half of their lead in 2020.
The Republicans had a wider total lead before early in-person voting ended in most of the state, but remained open in some bluer areas. Mail is also still being counted.
Sunday, Democrats’ “Souls to the Polls” day, was also underwhelming for the party; they netted just under 30,000 votes in comparison to the GOP’s statewide lead of over 800,000.
The massive Republican lead spells trouble for the abortion ballot measure in the Sunshine State.
Let’s go, Republicans!!! Vote NO on Amendments 3 & 4!!!! Let’s keep Florida red!!!! https://t.co/FIUvCGY4j1
— Reese🇺🇸🐊 (@reeseonable) November 5, 2024
According to The Guardian, the measure would “roll back the state’s six-week ban by adding the right to an abortion up until viability to the state’s constitution.”
The measure needs 60 percent of the vote to pass.
“Florida has the strongest protections for parents’ rights, but Amendment 4 would change that. I’ve signed legislation to defend the rights of mothers and fathers to be involved in medical decisions concerning their own children. A school nurse cannot give your child an mRNA shot or even a Tylenol without your consent—and that’s how it should be,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previously said.
“But Amendment 4 would remove the requirement for parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, a serious procedure that can have long-term consequences for both physical and mental health. Amendment 4 would undermine the foundation of parental rights in Florida. It’s too extreme and not what it seems,” he added.
Florida has the strongest protections for parents' rights, but Amendment 4 would change that. I've signed legislation to defend the rights of mothers and fathers to be involved in medical decisions concerning their own children. A school nurse cannot give your child an mRNA shot… https://t.co/Pk3MmhtZCl
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 18, 2024