With Election Day just hours away, races for governor and U.S. Senate, along with a controversial property tax amendment, could reshape Florida’s economic and political future.
By Marcus Ellington | M•I•A MEDIA GROUP
MIAMI — Nov. 2, 2026 — Florida stands at a political crossroads as millions of voters prepare for Tuesday’s general election, an unusually consequential contest that could determine the state’s direction on housing affordability, public education, economic opportunity, civil rights and government spending.
For South Florida’s Black communities, the stakes extend beyond which political party controls Tallahassee or represents the state in Washington. The decisions voters make could influence employment opportunities, neighborhood investment, access to public services and the financial security of future generations.
At the center of the election are two closely watched statewide contests.
Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds faces Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman, in the race to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is defending her seat against Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon.
Both races carry historic possibilities. Donalds could become the nation’s first elected Black Republican governor, while Nixon could become Florida’s first Black U.S. senator.
Recent polling suggests both contests deserve attention. A University of North Florida survey showed Donalds leading Jolly by two percentage points and Moody ahead of Nixon by four points. Those findings indicate competitive races, although polling does not guarantee Election Day outcomes.
Beyond the candidates, Florida voters face an economic decision with potentially lasting consequences.
Amendment 3 proposes substantially increasing the homestead property tax exemption. Supporters argue that homeowners need meaningful relief from rising housing costs and government taxation.
Opponents warn that reducing property tax collections could undermine funding for local government services, potentially affecting public safety, infrastructure and employment.
A Florida Policy Institute analysis estimates that the amendment could reduce local government revenue by nearly $12 billion annually statewide. Miami-Dade County alone could face approximately $1.4 billion in recurring annual losses and the equivalent of 12,200 jobs, according to the analysis. Those figures are projections, not confirmed outcomes.
The implications are particularly significant in communities where public employment, municipal services and affordable housing initiatives contribute to economic stability.
Meanwhile, affordability remains a defining concern among Florida voters.
Interviews published Monday by WUSF found that residents are weighing rising living costs, immigration, government accountability and foreign policy as they decide how to vote. Political analysts also anticipate strong participation in an election increasingly viewed as a referendum on the direction of the country.
For Black voters in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, questions surrounding economic mobility, education funding, business development and political representation remain central to the conversation.
Election officials are preparing for Tuesday’s voting, with polls scheduled to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Voters must be in line by closing time to cast their ballots.
Ultimately, Florida’s election represents more than a competition between Republicans and Democrats.
It is a test of whether the state’s next generation of leadership can address the growing financial pressures facing working families while ensuring that economic growth reaches communities historically excluded from opportunity.
On Tuesday, Floridians will choose their leaders. The greater question is whether those leaders will deliver a Florida where prosperity, opportunity and accountability extend to everyone.
