Jacksonville voters are more optimistic about civic matters, according to a poll by the University of North Florida’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Among the reasons they cited: Budget cutting and a new administration.

63%
approval rating for Mayor Alvin Brown, with 10% disapproval and 27% undecided

40%
approval rating for Gov. Rick Scott, with 43% disapproval and more than 15% undecided

69%
percentage of residents optimistic that the city is headed in the right direction; almost 18% were pessimistic; and 13% were undecided.

Source: University of North Florida Department of Political Science and Public Administration; the November poll had a margin of error of +/- 4.09%.