Florida's Latest News

A turbulent campaign nears its finale as Americans choose between Harris and Trump

A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor headed for its Election Day finale on Tuesday, as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.

Voters faced a stark choice between two candidates with drastically different temperaments and visions for the world’s largest economy and dominant military power. More than 82 million people voted early. Those casting Election Day ballots mostly encountered a smooth process, with isolated reports of hiccups that regularly happen, including long lines, technical issues and ballot printing errors.

Trump voted in Palm Beach, Florida, near his Mar-a-Lago club, and said afterward that he was feeling “very confident.”

“It looks like Republicans have shown up in force,” the former president told reporters. He said he had not prepared a speech on the results — win or lose — saying: “I’m not a Democrat. I’m able to make a speech on very short notice.”

Is Florida a swing state? What to know ahead of Election Day on Tuesday

Election Day is less than 24 hours away, with several polls already showing which candidate will most likely get each state's electoral votes. But what about areas where it's a bit more … unclear?

In the final weeks of their campaigns, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have made several appearances within the same seven states. What's so special about these states? They are the confirmed swing states for this election, seen as key components in winning a presidential election.

Here's why they are so important and why, as early voting returns have shown us so far, Florida isn't on the list. Swing states, also referred to as battleground or purple states, are defined officially as ones that are “considered to play a key role in the outcome of presidential elections” and where candidates of both the Democratic and Republican parties “have similar levels of support.”

These states are unpredictable in presidential elections, which makes them critical spots for candidates during their campaigns. They are considered "must-wins" by both mainstream political parties to secure the 270 election votes required for the presidency.

Florida’s election could have long-lasting impact on local school boards

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to elect more conservatives on Florida school boards hit a snag this summer. But key wins next week could give Republicans more local education allies — and set them up to elect even more in the long run.

This election cycle has been harsh for DeSantis’ school board push. In August, his endorsees lost 11 races, including some in deep red areas, even as they tilted one school board — Duval County — to a conservative majority.

The governor has a chance to make up ground on Tuesday with six endorsed school board candidates up for election, including three who are facing opponents backed by Democrats. And voters are also deciding on a ballot measure that would add partisan labels to school board races, which could net the party more seats in the increasingly red state.

Since becoming governor, DeSantis has been especially active in reshaping education, targeting issues like diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, in schools and attempting to root out any traces of “woke ideology.”

Florida Sen. Rick Scott seeks reelection with an eye toward top GOP leadership post

Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is hoping being reelected to a second term will put him in a position to earn a Senate leadership role, while former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell seeks an upset victory that could help her party maintain its razor-thin control of the chamber.

Scott hopes to succeed U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is stepping down as the GOP leader. A win for him would also reaffirm the strength of the Republican Party in the state despite ballot measures on abortion rights and recreational marijuana l egalization that Democrats hope will drive up turnout.

Mucarsel-Powell is running two years after Democrats lost all five statewide seats on the ballot in Republican landslides. She was elected to represent a Miami district in 2018 and was the first Ecuadorian American and South American-born congressional member. She lost her reelection to U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez in 2020.

Scott has a large fundraising advantage, including millions of his personal wealth he’s pumped into the campaign, in a state that has shifted more firmly Republican. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee insists Scott is vulnerable, but national Democrats were slow to invest in Florida, one of the most expensive states to buy campaign ads.