The James Madison Institute has released the latest results from its JMI Poll, which surveyed 1,200 registered voters in Florida to gauge opinions on policy and political issues ahead of the 2026 elections. The poll focused on topics such as taxes, education choice, economic pressures, vaccines, and technology.
According to the survey, many Floridians prioritize easing cost-of-living burdens through tax relief and regulatory reform. Expanding educational options and maintaining a pro-freedom stance are also important to voters.
Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents described themselves as “politically homeless,” feeling unrepresented by either major party. This group represents an opportunity for candidates seeking support from moderates and independents. Political polarization was cited as the second-largest concern after cost-of-living pressures. Among registered voters, 24% identify as independents, with more than half strictly non-partisan.
In hypothetical scenarios for the Republican primary for governor, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds led announced candidates with 29%, while former House Speaker Paul Renner received 9%. However, most respondents (62%) remained undecided. When First Lady Casey DeSantis was included in an expanded field, she led with 26%, followed by Donalds at 23%. Other potential candidates trailed behind.
On broader national questions, over half (53%) of those polled said society should balance addressing challenges like inequality with building on strengths such as innovation. A majority (62%) viewed the United States as having more personal and political freedoms compared to other countries; this view included most Democrats surveyed.
Regarding education policy during the recent legislative session:
– Seventy-four percent supported awarding schools an “A” grade only if they scored at least 90% on performance metrics.
– Sixty-six percent favored lifting local zoning restrictions to allow growth of small private schools due to limited classroom space.
– Sixty-one percent supported public schools leasing unused classroom space to private providers during the week.
– Fifty-eight percent agreed that public schools should offer individual courses for a fee to part-time scholarship students.
These findings suggest strong support among Florida voters for expanding school choice and deregulation in education.
On technology issues, a majority expressed positive attitudes toward new data center construction in Florida—52% supported development related to AI or cloud services—but concerns were noted about higher electricity prices (36%) and infrastructure strain (25%).
The poll also found differences in how Floridians use artificial intelligence at work: forty percent reported using AI regularly or daily; however, nearly one-third never used it at all. Younger adults were more likely than older ones to use AI frequently; North Floridians reported higher daily usage rates than those in other regions; people with children at home were also more likely daily users compared to those without children.
For further details about the survey results or methodology, visit jmipoll.com.
