Duval County’s voter participation in the 2026 midterm elections was 55.1%, the lowest figure among Florida’s urban counties. Even so, the statewide turnout reached 60.9%, the second‑highest level in the past three decades, reflecting a healthy democratic engagement across the Sunshine State.
Strong Statewide Turnout Driven by Amendment 3
Governor Ron DeSantis credited the impressive turnout to Amendment 3, the property‑tax relief measure he championed. The amendment, which expands the non‑school homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 over two years, was approved by nearly 62% of voters. DeSantis told reporters that without the amendment on the ballot, “I don’t know that we would have turned out the voters that we ended up turning out.” He added that many voters who supported the amendment later voted Republican further down the ballot.
Secretary of State Cord Byrd echoed this sentiment, stating, “The turnout results, the percentage of turnout and the enthusiasm of people wanting to vote just proves that we are doing the right thing.” He highlighted that over 8 million Floridians chose their representatives at every level, from local city councils to the U.S. Congress.
County‑by‑County Snapshot
All 67 Florida counties exceeded a 50% participation rate. The highest turnout was recorded in Sumter County, home to The Villages, at 73.6%. Jefferson County followed closely with 70.1%, while Leon, Sarasota, and Madison counties posted turnouts of 68.6%, 67.4%, and 66.8% respectively.
In the more populous regions, Orange County saw 57.8% turnout, Broward County 60.4%, Miami‑Dade County 60.5%, Hillsborough County 63.2%, and Palm Beach County 64.9%.
Early Voting and Mail‑In Ballots
Approximately two‑thirds of the 8.3 million votes were cast before Election Day, either by mail or at early‑voting sites, underscoring the effectiveness of Florida’s expanded voting options.
Election Aftermath
While the overall numbers are encouraging, a machine recount has been ordered for a state legislative seat on the Space Coast where a Democrat appears to have unseated the incumbent, and for a congressional seat that Republicans continue to hold in South Florida. The unofficial results will be certified at the state Elections Canvassing Commission meeting on November 17.
Despite Duval’s lower urban turnout, the broader picture shows Florida’s electorate responding positively to policies that protect families’ financial security and uphold conservative values, as embodied by Amendment 3 and Governor DeSantis’ leadership.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
