Is Florida a swing state? What you need to know before Election Day on Tuesday

Election Day is less than 24 hours away and several polls already show which candidate is most likely to get each state’s electoral votes. But what about areas where things are a bit more unclear?

In the final weeks of their campaigns, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have made several appearances in the same seven states.

What’s so special about these states? They are the confirmed swing states for this election and are seen as key components in winning presidential elections.

Here’s why they’re so important and why Florida isn’t on the list.

What are swing states? Why are they important?

Swing states, also called battleground or purple states, are officially defined as states that are “deemed to play a key role in the outcome of the presidential election” and where candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties “have similar levels of support enjoy. ”

These states are unpredictable in presidential elections, making them a crucial spot for candidates during their campaigns. They are considered must-wins by both mainstream political parties to secure the 270 electoral votes needed for the presidency.

Is Florida considered a swing state for the 2024 elections? Why not?

Florida is not a swing state for the upcoming general election.

A USA TODAY report noted that while the Republican Party’s big victories in Florida had captured national attention over the past two election cycles, the state has been in the red for decades. The previously more politically ‘purple’ state has become even redder with the presidency of Donald Trump in 2016.

There was once a time when the state was considered to have a bigger role in determining the outcome of elections, according to 270 To Win. They highlight the 2000 presidential election, in which it took a month for George W. Bush to be declared the winner with just 537 votes.

“The influx of Cubans, retirees and service workers into the booming theme park economy near Orlando and other groups resulted in a state that was far more diversified – both economically and politically – than many of its southern brethren. As a result, the state went through a period where it was seen as the ultimate battlefield state, its population a microcosm of the country as a whole.”

Which states are considered swing states for the upcoming general election?

Several experts and media outlets, such as Vox, US News & World Report, and the Washington Post, have determined that these seven states should keep an eye on the November elections:

• Arizona – 11 electoral votes

• Georgia – 16 electoral votes

• Michigan – 15 electoral votes

• Nevada – 6 electoral votes

• North Carolina – 16 electoral votes

• Pennsylvania – 19 electoral votes

• Wisconsin – 10 electoral votes

A total of 93 electoral votes remain up for grabs.

Florida is not a swing state, but our vote is still among the most powerful

The personal finance company WalletHub recently published a study ranking every US state based on the amount of power voters in each state will have in the upcoming election. And Florida is among the top 10.

Check out WalletHub’s methodology: Where it ranks on this list of states with the most powerful voters

Here’s WalletHub’s list of the top 10 states where voters have the most power this election:

1. Nevada

2. North Carolina

3. Georgia

4. Arizona

5. Wisconsin

6. Pennsylvania

7. Michigan

8. New Hampshire

9. Florida

10. Alaska

What time do the polls open and close on Election Day in Florida?

In Florida, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. However, that does not mean that your vote must be cast before 7 p.m.

If you get in line to vote before 7 p.m., you can still vote, according to the Florida Supervisors of Elections website.

What should I bring to vote on Election Day?

You must have photo ID and your signature to cast your vote. Acceptable IDs include:

• Employee ID card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the federal, state, provincial, or municipal government.

• Florida driver’s license

• Florida ID Card (issued by DHSMV)

• American passport

• Debit card or credit card

• Military ID

• Student ID

• Retirement Center ID

• Neighborhood association ID

• Public Assistance ID

• Veteran Health ID (issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

• Concealed Weapons Permit (issued in accordance with FS 790.06)

If your photo ID does not have your signature on it, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature on it.

If you can’t provide ID, the Florida elections website says you can vote with a provisional ballot. Your ballot will count if the signature on your ballot matches the signature on your voter registration.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida is not considered an election swing state. See which states those are