AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: Democratic voter registration continues to surge in Florida

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Democratic voter registration continues to surge in Florida

by Joe Sudbay (DC) on 8/12/2008 11:38:00 AM

The trend estimate for Florida at Pollster.com shows a very tight race with McCain leading 46% to 44.9%. That's why the news on voter registration coming out of Florida is especially important. Dems are trouncing Republicans in new voters:

If the state's new voter-registration numbers were a public poll, here's what they'd say about the political climate in Florida:

• Democrats are surging and boasting of an ''enthusiasm gap.'' Since the Jan. 29 primary, the party increased its ranks by 252,600 voters, ticking up 6 percent. Overall voter registration across all parties grew 4 percent to 10.6 million.

• The Republican Party is not doing as well. Its membership increased by just 2.5 percent -- about 98,000. The nearly 4.4 million Democrats outnumber Republicans by 465,000.

• Voters are less inclined to register with no-party affiliation, once the fastest-growing segment of the electorate. NPA registration increased 2.5 percent since January.

• Hispanics, who make up a crucial voting group, are flocking more to the Democratic Party, which increased its Hispanic rolls by 18 percent. African-American voters increased 8 percent statewide. The gains among black voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties: 14 and 12 percent, respectively.

• Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, as well as the tough economy, seems to be the difference maker.

''I don't know what else to attribute it to,'' said Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, noting the high numbers of minorities in Florida, when asked if the voter rolls showed an Obama bounce.

There are a couple of challenges. Being Florida, the first is, of course, to make sure the voters can actually vote. Then, the second challenge is getting the votes counted.

This news also bodes well for all the competitive House races in Florida. There are eight by our count, including the three challengers in South Florida: Annette Taddeo, Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez.

The Miami Herald also ponders the impact of Crist since he is being vetted for V.P. When is his wedding?

If the state's new voter-registration numbers were a public poll, here's what they'd say about the political climate in Florida:

• Democrats are surging and boasting of an ''enthusiasm gap.'' Since the Jan. 29 primary, the party increased its ranks by 252,600 voters, ticking up 6 percent. Overall voter registration across all parties grew 4 percent to 10.6 million.

• The Republican Party is not doing as well. Its membership increased by just 2.5 percent -- about 98,000. The nearly 4.4 million Democrats outnumber Republicans by 465,000.

• Voters are less inclined to register with no-party affiliation, once the fastest-growing segment of the electorate. NPA registration increased 2.5 percent since January.

• Hispanics, who make up a crucial voting group, are flocking more to the Democratic Party, which increased its Hispanic rolls by 18 percent. African-American voters increased 8 percent statewide. The gains among black voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties: 14 and 12 percent, respectively.

• Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, as well as the tough economy, seems to be the difference maker.

''I don't know what else to attribute it to,'' said Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, noting the high numbers of minorities in Florida, when asked if the voter rolls showed an Obama bounce.