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September 1

Primary results

Runoff results

May 8 (deadline for federal candidates)
July 17 (deadline for statewide candidates)

Total Number: 13

To Watch:
Amendment 2: Death Penalty
Would amend the state Constitution to preserve the death penalty and permit any execution method unless prohibited by the federal Constitution. If passed, the amendment could be applied retroactively.

Amendment 9: Basic Rights
Would define "basic rights" as "male and female alike" who are equal before the law and may not be deprived of any right because of national origin. Provision also changes "physical handicap" to "physical disability."

Amendment 12: Background Checks/Handgun Sales
Would give counties the option of requiring a criminal history record check and waiting period in the connection with the sale of any firearm. Provision does not apply to holders of concealed weapons permits.

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PARTY CONTROL

Governor: Democrat
U.S. Senate: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican
U.S. House of Representatives: 8 Democrats, 15 Republicans
State Senate: 15 Democrats, 25 Republicans
State House of Representatives: 53 Democrats, 65 Republicans

Senate: 20 seats up
House: All 120 seats up

State Projected Voting Age Population: 11,030,000 (1996)
Registered Voters: 8,176,739 (8/98)

Democrats:            3,679,739             45%

Republicans:          3,274,617             40%

Independent Party:      111,662            1.4%

Libertarian Party:        6,900           0.08%

Conservative Party:       1,357           0.01%

Green Party:                938           0.01%

Reform Party:             2,598           0.03%

Unaffiliated:         1,098,474           13.4%

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ELECTORAL VOTES

25

Clinton won in 1996; Bush in 1992; Bush in 1988; Reagan in 1984; Reagan in 1980; Carter in 1976; Nixon in 1972; Nixon in 1968; Johnson in 1964; Nixon in 1960.

LAST TIME VOTED DEMOCRATIC FOR PRESIDENT: 1996

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1996:

Clinton	48%
Dole	42%
Perot	9%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1992:

Bush	41%
Clinton	39%
Perot	20%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1988:

Bush	61%
Dukakis	39%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1984:

Reagan	65%
Mondale	35%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1980:

Reagan	56%
Carter	39%
Anderson	5%

1992:

• President
• Senate

1994:

• Senate
• Governor

1996:

• President
• Other Issues

Historical voter turnout as a percentage of the voting age population 1996-1960

Population: 14,400,000 (1996)
(% of voting age population)

Persons of Hispanic origin account for 11.7% of the voting population (from 1990 Census)

State Capital: Tallahassee
State Nickname: Sunshine State

Known for its hurricanes, theme parks, sandy beaches, immigrants and senior citizens, Florida was also the first state to allow concealed weapons. They are all part of the Sunshine State, now the fourth most populated state in the union, and one of the most diverse and dynamic as well. Referred to by Gov. Lawton Chiles, who in 1998 is completing his 40th year in politics, as "more of a crowd than a community," Florida's political history has favored Republicans. The urban centers, especially the Miami area, are more Democratic. Democrats have made inroads in the 1990s. Florida was one of two states that Bill Clinton lost in 1992, but then won in 1996 (Arizona was the other). The Democrats are courting the Cuban-American vote that has been loyal to the GOP. Jeb Bush, one of President George Bush's sons, lost a 1994 race for governor to incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles. Jeb's brother, George W. Bush, first won the Texas governor's post the same year.

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