New poll reveals tight presidential race in Florida

Donald J. Trump was tied with Hillary Clinton in the swing state of Florida, according to a Sept. 8 Quinnipiac Poll. Quinnipiac University conducted phone interviews of 761 likely voters in Florida and in a poll including all presidential candidates, Trump and Clinton are tied at 43 percent.

 In the 2012 Florida presidential election, Obama won with 50 percent of the popular vote. Romney held 49.1 percent of the popular vote, losing to Obama by a difference of about 74,000 votes. In the past 10 elections, Florida has voted with the overall winning candidate for every election except in 1992.

Florida a key battle

Florida is often seen as a critical battleground state. Over the past 60 years, Florida’s rapidly expanding population has increased its electoral importance. At the end of World War II, Florida had eight electoral votes. Now, the state has the fourth most in the country, holding 29 electoral votes. Obama took all 29 electoral votes in the 2012 Presidential Election. To win a presidential election, a candidate must receive a total of 270 electoral votes.

A Sunshine State divided 

Florida’s split political views are echoed in the state and national legislatures. The Florida Senate has 40 members, each elected from a single-member district across the state. Fourteen members of the senate are Republican and the remaining 26 members are Democrats. Florida’s two Senators, Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson, also reflect the state's divided political views. In contrast, Florida Governor Rick Scott is Republican. As November approaches, America's eyes will remain on Florida.

 --Katrine Ryan