FOLIO
Photo by USA Today
Words by Johvan Merilus
The 2024 Presidential election has come to an end. People have finally stopped their unfollowing phase on Instagram and torn down their front yard political signs. While Donald Trump won the majority vote and was ultimately elected president, it is yet to be seen how he will do in this role come his inauguration on Jan. 20th..
Florida has long been a notable cornerstone of the presidential election and has always been seen as a key battleground state. The state alone contributed 30 electoral votes. On the days leading up to the election, Florida coverage focused on three main points: demographic shifts, policy debates and voter turnout. But what wasn’t emphasized was what this election meant for Floridians.
Over the years, Florida’s unique and clashing political stance has labeled the Sunshine State as a perennial swing state. However, in the last two elections it’s sided with the Republican party in support of its candidate. In the 2016 presidential race, it was reported that Trump won Florida with 49% to Clinton’s 48%. In the following election year, when he ran against Joe Biden he secured a 51% win to Biden’s 48%. This year’s election was his highest win of 56% in comparison to Harris’s 43%.
Many of the political issues that center around Florida’s political climate came from both local and national debates over the economy, climate change, immigration and abortion. All these issues surround Florida in some way shape or form as they directly impact certain communities within the state. Amendment 1 would require partisan elections for school boards. Amendment 2 regarded hunting and fishing rights. Then came Amendment 3 to legalize marijuana throughout the state of Florida. One of the most impactful and controversial issues being considered was Amendment 4 which covered abortion rights. Amendment 5 concerned tax exemptions for disabled veterans. Finally, Amendment 6 concerned public campaign financing that would inevitably be rejected for statewide campaigns. All failed to gain the votes needed to pass with the exception of 2 and 5.
There’s also the possibility of many residents struggling with healthcare as Trump’s administration has pushed for the reduction of government spending in healthcare programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, resulting in millions of uninsured or underinsured.
Economic inequality could be faced too since Trump’s economic policies have favored more so those with wealth. This is due, in part, to tax cuts for big corporations not paying their proper share and deregulation, as well. The gap in social class based on income would significantly continue to widen leaving both the middle class and lower class to struggle financially in regard to receiving payment and qualify to pay what’s demanded of them. With Trump’s campaign marketing the “America First” approach this will also lead to issues on Florida’s economy. One of Florida’s biggest economic qualities is its ability to produce tourism. Yet the stance on trade policies may come to ruin international business which plays to Florida’s strengths.
With Trump preparing to take his place in the Oval Office after his inauguration it is more than likely to see the policies in both local and state government be more conservative due to the Republican party being dominant in Congress as well.
There is no doubt that Trump’s win will set forth a shift in Florida’s policy landscape. Only in the next four years will we find out if it was a good or bad change.
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