Florida
Welcome to the Florida state page! Here, Florida organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.
Political Landscape of Florida
Partisan Composition of Florida
Overall, Florida is considered a red state, with a Cook PVI of R+3 as of 2022, regularly voting 50-60% Republican in statewide races. Their US Senators and governor are Republicans. Their US House delegation is split and Republican-dominant due to gerrymandering, with 8 Democrats and 20 Republicans. Republicans also have supermajorities in the state legislature; 84 to 36 in the state house, 28 to 12 on the state senate, giving them a veto-proof trifecta (as of 2/8/24).
Progressive Outlook for Florida
The overall progressive strategy for Florida is troubled. The governor and state legislature regularly commit acts of hostility against trans people and schools and citizen-led ballot initiatives, short of amendments, are not allowed. As such, the overall strategy here should be formed in opposition and blunting the power of the state legislature as we attempt to flip the state back blue and toss out the gerrymandered US House map. As Florida is a closed primary state, you should register with whichever party whose primaries you wish to enact change in.
Get Involved
Register to Vote in Florida
Progressive Organizations in Florida
Below is a list of progressive organizations in Florida. If you see a state organization that isn't on this list, please add it.
- Progress Florida:Florida's largest progressive organization, has a scorecard and endorsements.
- Florida Democrats: Florida is a red state, so joining the most direct effort to flip Florida back blue is probably the most effective way to go about this. They've contested every, or almost every, state legislature seat for the last few cycles in an effort to drive up turnout and are adapting to the new environment.
Notable Campaigns in 2024
Below is a list of progressive candidates or ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle for Florida. Non-progressive candidates may also be placed here if they are substantially to the left of their district's partisan lean and worth campaigning for. If you see a candidate or ballot measure that should be on this list, please add them.
November 5th General Elections
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for Florida:Though Florida is technically a red state, Rick Scott is uniquely-unpopular and Democrats are particularly energized. If you're a progressive in the state of Florida, this is where you can make the biggest difference if you live in most of the state this November to flip one of Florida's senate seats blue and ensure a trifecta.
- Lucia Baez-Geller for FL-27: This is one of Florida's two swing districts on the house level (D+1 according to 538) Making sure Lucia beats Salazar is very important!
- Phil Ehr for FL-28: Florida's other swing seat (R+4 according to 538). Making sure Phil wins here is also important!
Ballot Measures
Note: Florida only has constitutional amendments able to be passed by citizen-led ballot initiative. Therefore, any question on the ballot needs 60% to succeed.
- Florida Amendment 3, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2024): This amendment would legalize Marijuana for anyone over the age of 21.
- Florida Amendment 4, Right to Abortion Initiative (2024): This amendment would establish a right to abortion in the state of Florida until the point of fetal viability (~24 weeks) as determined by a doctor.
Run for Local Office
An underrated way to impact change is to run for a local position! Please feel free to add information on doing so below.
Florida Legislature:
Per Article III, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution, the legislature is established as a bicameral body, composed of a house of representatives and a senate. [1]Florida House of Representatives:
The Florida House of Representatives is composed of 120 member districts, the most allowed under Article III, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution. [2]
Interactive house district map: https://redistricting.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=7bd994dee18448809be1a1a2110d323a
Resource for finding your current representative: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative
Florida Senate:
The Florida Senate is composed of 40 member districts, the most allowed under Article III, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution. [3]
Interactive senate district map: https://redistricting.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=a1efd16272984e47b9940f179a5cbe18
Resource for finding your current senator: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find