Florida Democratic Party's Struggles Continue as Voter Registration Drops

Political party logos.Photo byKelly SikkemaonUnsplash

It has not been a particularly great couple of years for Florida's Democratic Party. The FDP has seen their candidate for governor lose by the widest margin in twenty years while the opponent - Ron DeSantis - carried the traditional democratic stronghold Miami-Dade. Senate candidate Val Demmings didn't fare much better, and the party chair resigned following the latest election cycle.

And now, amidst that already tumultuous backdrop, more bad news. Voter registration figures for the Democratic Party are down dramatically, at least in Florida. From 2020 to 2023, the number of registered Democrats in the state dropped by more than 433,000, according to the state's voter registration data. As a percentage, the party has lost nearly 10% of its voters.

Losing nearly a half-million party members isn't good news for a state party regardless of the outside circumstances, but it's even worse so when you consider Florida's current demographics. As one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, Florida's overall adult population has been increasing significantly. As a result, one would expect registration for all parties to grow numerically, as new residents from out-of-state renew registrations in their new homes.

Miami Beach, FL.Photo byKian LemonUnsplash

Not the case for the Florida Democratic Party, however. While Republicans have seen registration grow by about 80,000 and third parties by about 30,000, Democrats have seen their numbers dwindle with each passing year, according to the same registration data.

The party's leadership seems aware. In a statement to donors and backers prior to her selection as the new Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said the following:

We will focus on the fundamentals. Rebuilding our voter registration lead, learning how to win at the local level and expanding vote-by-mail. We will lean into messaging that makes sense and refuse to cede ground to Republicans. We will empower you and your teams of volunteers to grow our Party and our mission. This is the foundation we need to reclaim our state. And if I am Chair we will build it together.

Rebuilding from a loss of over 400,000 voters will take a significant effort on the part of the state party, particularly at a time when the incumbent Republican governor's poll numbers are strong. To add to all the existing troubles, Democrats nationwide are facing strong headwinds in the form of inflation, housing prices, and educational issues.

As if that weren't enough, recent Gallup polling has indicated that a significant number of both parties' members believe that government itself is the #1 problem facing the country today - not a particularly welcome sign for Democrats, as they are the party currently holding the White House and the Senate. National issues can often result in state-level party attrition, as the state leaders can have a tough time differentiating themselves from country-wide headlines and beliefs.

The Florida Democratic Party will face an uphill battle in a state that's increasingly seen as leaning to the conservative side of the political spectrum. Some commentators have even suggested the party should give up on the state entirely and focus its spending and campaigning efforts elsewhere. It is too early to tell if new leadership or outside events can reverse the course of the Florida Democratic Party, but as it stands, the trend remains a negative one.