Florida Voters Support Almost 4-1 Minimum Wage Hike, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Split On Making Felons Pay Fines Before Voting

Florida voters support 76 - 20 percent, including 57 - 38 percent among Republicans, raising the state's $8.46 minimum wage, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. 

Support for a minimum wage hike is strong in every listed party, gender, education, age and racial group, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. 

In a separate question, offering several options for raising the minimum wage:

• 43 percent of Florida voters support an increase to an amount less than $15 per hour;
• 36 percent of voters back an increase to $15 per hour;
• 9 percent support an increase to an amount more than $15 per hour;
• 9 percent want no increase.

Florida voters are divided on whether they support or oppose a law requiring felons who have finished their prison terms to pay all fines, fees and restitution related to their case before they are allowed to vote, as 45 percent support the payment requirement, with 47 percent opposed. Men support the measure 50 - 43 percent, with women opposed 49 - 41 percent. White voters support payment before voting 51 - 42 percent, while black voters are opposed 61 - 37 percent. Hispanic voters are divided as 40 percent support it and 51 percent oppose it. 

Support is 69 - 22 percent among Republicans, with Democrats opposed 70 - 24 percent and independent voters split as 43 percent support payment and 48 percent oppose it. 

"Maybe it's because so many Floridians remember their first minimum wage job. Whatever the reason, three-quarters of Sunshine State voters think the minimum wage in the state needs to be higher. Many voters, however, aren't ready to go as high as $15 per hour," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. 

"Anything is possible and sentiment could change, but the target of $15 per hour could jeopardize chances for raising the minimum wage if the question is on the ballot in November, 2020." 

"There is much less agreement on the question of whether felons who have finished their prison sentences must pay fees, fines and restitution in order to vote," Brown added. 

Florida voters support 65 - 30 percent, an all-time high in the state, allowing adults to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Republicans are divided 48 - 48 percent, as every other listed group supports the measure. Voters would support 61 - 34 percent the sale of legal marijuana in their community. 

Gov. DeSantis' Approval 

Florida voters approve 55 - 22 percent of the job Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing. 

Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott both have divided job approval ratings as 45 percent approve of Rubio and 41 percent disapprove. For Scott, 41 percent approve and 44 percent disapprove. 

Gun Safety 

Florida voters support 59 - 36 percent a ban on the sale of assault weapons in the state. Women support a ban 72 - 24 percent. Men are divided with 45 percent backing a ban and 50 percent opposed. Voters over 65 years old support an assault weapons ban 68 - 28 percent, the strongest support of any age group. Voters support 58 - 38 percent stricter gun laws in Florida. 

Florida needs to do more to address gun violence, 72 percent of voters say, as 21 percent say the state is doing enough and 2 percent say the state is doing too much. 

Voters oppose 57 - 39 percent "allowing trained teachers and school officials to carry guns on school grounds." Voters with children under 18 years old in public school oppose arming teachers 55 - 40 percent. 

Stricter gun laws would do more to reduce gun violence in schools than arming teachers, Florida voters say 55 - 34 percent. If more people carried guns, Florida would be less safe, 55 percent of voters say, while 35 percent of voters say the state would be safer. 

From June 12 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,279 Florida voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points, including the design effect. 

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts gold standard surveys using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts nationwide surveys and polls in more than a dozen states on national and statewide elections, as well as public policy issues. 

Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll 

Tags: Press Release