Florida Voters Trust Local Election Officials, Support Enhanced Voter Access Options
To better understand Florida voters’ views on election processes and administration, the Tyson Group conducted a statewide survey of general election voters on behalf of the Secure Democracy Foundation. Our findings, summarized below, show broad consensus among Florida voters when it comes to placing trust in local election officials and supporting expanded opportunities to vote.
Florida voters trust local poll workers and county Supervisors of Elections, and want them protected under law.
The vast majority of Florida voters place their trust in local election officials, with three-quarters of respondents in the poll expressing trust in local poll workers and 73% reporting they trust their county Supervisor of Elections, including 73% of Republicans, 77% of Democrats, 69% of Independents.
A strong majority of Florida voters are also clear that they want local election administrators to be protected from threats and harassment. 85% agree that election workers and their private information should be protected by law, including 83% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats, and 86% of Independents, according to the poll.
Florida voters support multiple options to cast their ballot, including early and mail voting. Confidence in vote-by-mail remains strong.
The poll also found a vast majority of Florida voters support flexibility in terms of how they can exercise their freedom to vote. 88% responded that having multiple options for Florida voters to cast a ballot was important. This sentiment is shared across party lines, with 85% of Republicans, 92% of Democrats, and 84% of Independents in favor.
Early voting remains a popular option for many Florida voters across the political spectrum, according to the poll. 87% believe having convenient options for early, in-person voting before Election Day is important, including 85% of Republicans, 91% of Democrats, and 85% of Independents. In fact, Florida voters want to expand early voting options. 76% support early voting in all elections, including local and municipal elections, 72% support providing at least 10 days of early voting, and 63% support providing an additional weekend of early voting.
Despite the national rhetoric around mail ballots, voting by mail also remains a popular option for Florida voters and overall voters are confident in Florida’s vote by mail system, with 76% expressing confidence that Florida voters can cast a mail ballot and have it counted, including 75% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats, and 69% of Independents.
Florida voters also support nonpartisan processes that enhance the state’s vote by mail system, including:
87% support being able to return ballots to secure ballot intake stations, including 85% of Republicans, 91% of Democrats, and 82% of Independents.
83% support allowing local election officials to verify a voter’s identity through a signature match, including 84% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats, and 74% of Independents.
82% support election officials notifying voters and allowing an opportunity to correct their mail ballot applications prior to rejection for errors, including 79% of Republicans, 84% of Democrats, and 81% of Independents.
76% support allowing voters to sign up to automatically receive a mail ballot for all elections in a two-year cycle, including 70% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats, and 74% of Independents.
76% support allowing voters more than two days to cure or fix minor errors on their mail ballots, including 68% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats, and 70% of Independents.
Florida voters continue to support voting rights restoration.
Another issue a strong majority of Florida voters are united on is restoring voting rights to citizens with prior felony convictions. The poll found six in ten (60%) Florida voters, with majority support across political party identity, support allowing citizens with prior felony convictions to regain their eligibility to vote when they are no longer incarcerated. Additionally, 68% agree Florida citizens with prior felony convictions should be able to use an easily accessible online database to find accurate, up-to-date information about the fines they owe and their eligibility to vote, including 62% of Republicans, 78% of Democrats, and 66% of Independents.
Florida voters agree on other election administration and voter access issues to improve voter access and strengthen elections.
The poll also found widespread support among Florida voters for other election issues, including
79% support allowing voters with disabilities to securely cast their ballots electronically, including 77% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 74% of Independents.
77% support using secure tabulation equipment over hand counts to achieve accurate election results more quickly, including 75% of Republicans, 81% of Democrats, and 22% of Independents.
67% support making Election Day a state holiday, giving workers a day off to vote, including 64% of Republicans, 76% of Democrats, and 59% of Independents.
62% oppose requiring private information, such as voters’ Social Security number, on their absentee mail ballot envelope, including 54% of Republicans, 73% of Democrats, and 64% of Independents.
Methodology
From November 27th through November 29th, the Tyson Group conducted a survey with a sample size (N) of 1,000 likely general election voters in Florida, with a margin of error of +/- 2.95%. The sample was gathered through an internet panel, with participants self-identifying their likelihood to vote and their party registration as well as other relevant demographics. Subsequently, the sample was weighted to accurately represent the likely general electorate. This survey was commissioned by Secure Democracy Foundation.
About Secure Democracy Foundation
Secure Democracy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that produces research and analysis focused on voting and elections. We work to educate the public on how our election systems are secure and trustworthy.