Florida

GOP has advantage among Florida ballots already cast

Published

3 years ago

November 4, 2022

A poll worker directs voters at an early voting site, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Miami. Midterm elections are Nov. 8. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Nearly 4 million people have already voted in Florida’s election and early numbers indicate Republicans could have a huge advantage once voting ends Tuesday.

Through Thursday, 1.7 million Republicans have already cast ballots for the races that will determine whether Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio will be reelected. That compares to 1.4 million cast by Democrats.

The Florida GOP could also increase its representation in the U.S. House, thanks partly to a new congressional map that was drawn to favor Republican candidates.

DeSantis is facing Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, who served as a GOP governor from 2007-2011 and recently left office as a Democratic congressman. Rubio is facing Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who was previously Orlando’s first female police chief.

Four years ago, when the vote was so close there were recounts for governor, U.S. senator and agriculture commissioner, Democrats had slightly more voters cast ballots before Election Day, nearly 2.2 million compared to more than 2.1 million for Republicans.

This year, Republicans are even leading the early vote in the traditional Democratic stronghold of Miami-Dade County. Republicans have cast more than 2,500 more ballots in Miami-Dade than Democrats. In 2018, Democrats cast nearly 254,000 ballots before Election Day, compared to just more than 180,000 for Republicans.

Voters registered with minor parties or no party at all have cast about 750,000 ballots through Thursday.

Republicans have far outperformed Democrats in registering new voters in recent years. In 2016, Democrats had about 327,000 more registered voters than Republicans. That has since flipped, with the GOP now having a 300,000 advantage over Democrats.

While Democrats have requested more vote-by-mail ballots, Republicans are returning them at a higher rate so far, with about 60% of GOP mail ballots having already been received compared to 53% for Democrats.

The campaigns will be active the final weekend before Election Day encouraging voters to turn out. Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally with Rubio and candidates for U.S. House on Sunday, while DeSantis separately campaigns at several stops throughout the state. Demings and Crist also plan multiple events around the state.

During the Trump rally, Demings plans to run a campaign ad on Fox News showing clips from the 2016 GOP presidential primary, with Trump calling Rubio as “Little Marco,” saying Florida voters hate him and that he conned voters by not showing up to vote.

Florida

Handshake Snub Overshadows DeSantis’ Last Address as Governor to Joint Legislature

Published

7 days ago

January 15, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address Tuesday to a joint session of the Florida Legislature, capping his remarks with a visible display of the deepening rift between the governor and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

DeSantis shook hands with Senate President Ben Albritton but appeared to bypass House Speaker Daniel Perez before taking the podium in the House chamber. After finishing his State of the State address, DeSantis exited quickly, leaving before Albritton could direct the sergeant-at-arms to provide the traditional ceremonial escort that formally concludes the appearance.

The moment underscored months of strained relations between the term-limited governor and Republican leaders in the House, even as both chambers begin a high-stakes 60-day session dominated by debates over taxes, insurance, affordability and redistricting.

Final Address Sets a Confrontational Tone

In his last State of the State, DeSantis struck a combative tone as House and Senate leaders advance competing priorities for the session. Republican leaders have pledged to focus on affordability and economic pressures facing Floridians, while maintaining what they describe as a unified GOP agenda.

“From tax-free grocery store food, to diapers, clothes, and supplies for young children, key household safety items, to year-round hurricane preparedness, Florida has been laser-focused on affordability,” Albritton said, emphasizing the Senate’s commitment to cost-of-living relief.

Behind the messaging, however, divisions persist — particularly between DeSantis and Perez, who remains at odds with the governor following disputes over taxes, the budget and legislative authority.

Legislative Agenda and Lingering Disputes

Perez, speaking earlier in the day, outlined an ambitious agenda that prioritizes insurance reform, taxes, the economy, prescription drug prices and rising household costs.

“We stand here today, ready to write the second half to our story,” Perez said during opening day remarks.

He later downplayed the handshake snub, saying, “Whether the governor wants to be petulant and not shake the hand of a partner, that’s not going to change our direction.”

Lawmakers face a crowded agenda, with nearly 1,800 bills filed for consideration. Property taxes and insurance reforms are among the top issues expected to dominate debate.

Redistricting Looms Over the Session

Adding to the tension, DeSantis has warned that the regular session may not be enough. He has already issued a proclamation calling for a special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional map ahead of the November midterm elections.

State lawmakers have 60 days to pass legislation.

Florida

State Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Targeting Illegal Immigration and Employer Penalties

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Rep. Berny Jacques has filed legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Florida by restricting access to financial services, housing assistance, and employment for unauthorized immigrants, while imposing stricter penalties on employers.

The proposal, HB 1307, seeks to eliminate what Jacques describes as incentives for illegal immigration and expand accountability for individuals and businesses that employ unauthorized workers.

Restrictions on Financial and Housing Access
HB 1307 would prohibit the Florida Department of Financial Services from issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants. The bill also bars unauthorized immigrants from obtaining loans, homeownership assistance, or opening bank accounts in Florida.

In addition, the legislation would ban unauthorized immigrants from sending remittances from within the state, further limiting access to financial systems.

Expanded Employer Liability and Penalties
The bill establishes new penalties for employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. Employers would be held personally and fully liable for injuries sustained by unlawfully employed workers and could be required to reimburse public funds.

Under HB 1307, penalties escalate with repeated violations. A first violation would result in a one-year suspension of all business licenses and a $10,000 fine per violation. A second violation would lead to a five-year license suspension and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. A third violation would result in permanent revocation of licenses and fines of up to $250,000 per violation.

Employers found to employ 50 or more unauthorized immigrants would commit a third-degree felony and face permanent license revocation. The bill also requires employers to verify worker eligibility through the federal E-Verify system before submitting workers’ compensation claims.

Civil Liability and Auto Insurance Provisions
HB 1307 authorizes a civil cause of action against employers if an unauthorized employee causes injury or death to another person. The bill also includes provisions related to auto insurance claims, stating that unauthorized immigrants involved in motor vehicle accidents would be presumed at fault unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates otherwise.

“We must remove the magnets for illegal migration and hold those who provide those magnets accountable,” Jacques said, urging lawmakers to support the proposal.

The bill will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.

Florida

Bracy Davis, Rosenwald File Bill to Fix My Safe Florida Home Program Application Barriers

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Senator LaVon Bracy Davis and Representative Mitch Rosenwald have filed legislation aimed at expanding access to the My Safe Florida Home Program by allowing homeowners to reapply when applications were previously deemed abandoned or withdrawn due to errors or omissions.

The measure, SB 1148/HB 1045, would modify program rules to permit subsequent applications when the original filing was rejected because of compliance-related mistakes, provided there is good cause and the applicant corrects the issue in a timely manner.

Expanding Access to Homeowner Assistance
The My Safe Florida Home Program is a state initiative that provides eligible Florida homeowners with inspections and grant funding to help strengthen their homes against storms while reducing insurance costs. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Current rules allow for reapplication if an application was denied or withdrawn due to errors or omissions. However, the proposed legislation would also allow reapplication when an application was deemed abandoned or withdrawn because of similar compliance-related issues.

Addressing Bureaucratic Barriers
“At a time when Florida’s families are struggling with rising insurance costs, we cannot allow bureaucratic technicalities to block access to affordability tools,” said Bracy Davis, a Democrat from Ocoee.

The bill responds to concerns from homeowners who were unable to submit a new application after their original submission was closed due to misunderstandings or reasonable mistakes regarding program requirements.

Focus on Seniors and Low-Income Homeowners
Rosenwald, a Democrat from Oakland Park, said the legislation is intended to help vulnerable homeowners who rely on the program for financial relief.

“This program can be a lifeline for seniors and low-income homeowners,” Rosenwald said. “In response to Floridians reporting that they were blocked from submitting a new application because of a misunderstanding or reasonable mistake concerning program compliance, I filed this glitch bill.”

If approved, the legislation would ensure more homeowners have access to financial assistance aimed at strengthening homes and improving insurance affordability across Florida.