The Florida Voter, A Regional Analysis

Abstract

Florida is often depicted as having deep regional political cleavages. The northern part of the state is thought of as largely rural and traditional, still rooted in the culture of the Old South. The central and southern parts are seen as urban and increasingly liberal, particularly on social and environmental issues. Florida politics, especially during annual sessions of the State Legislature, is interpreted as a struggle between the rural north and the urban south over the direction of public policy. This article presents a preliminary analysis of data from a statewide survey of Florida voters on a number of issues.