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What issues are driving Floridians to the polls?

The economy, social security and crime are among the key issues being looked at state and nationwide.

TAMPA, Fla. — With Florida Primary voting now over, eyes are now set on the November general election.

Many voters that spoke to 10 Tampa Bay are heading to the polls with their own unique reasons.

For Tashi Anderson of Tampa, the rising costs of property insurance are among the key issues concerning her most.

"My insurance pricing is pricing me out of my house," Anderson said outside a local precinct. "I'm really worried about that."

The expenses for everything from grocery prices to housing costs are on the minds of voters like Wayne Kulich as well.

"I wish we'd come together a little bit more and be more united but I think we all can unite around the economy," Kulich said.

The economy ranks as the top issue for Floridians according to polling shared from Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research USA in June. Immigration, abortion and crime then followed.

“Economic factors like cost of living still weigh more heavily than hot-button cultural issues," stated Dr. Aaron Veenstra, associate professor at FAU's School of Communication and Multimedia Studies.

Within that polling, Republicans appeared to be more focused on immigration, while Democrats are paying attention to abortion. 

An amendment is on the ballot this November that could enshrine abortion into Florida's constitution if it gets enough support. 

Nationwide, social security became the top issue searched on Google, according to information collected by the Associated Press and Google Trends

Following social security came crime, health care, unemployment and the economy. 

Meanwhile other voters in the area are paying to issues abroad as motivation to head to the polls.

Donald Linsky, who voted during the primary, said support for Israel remains the most important issue for him, along with health care, education and immigration.

"I care about other items, but there is not another issue for me more important than the survival of Israel," Linsky said.

Voters like Kulich believe Democrats and Republicans must find a way to help alleviate Americans' finances.

"I wish we would, as a country, come together a little bit more. I know it's easy to hate each other," Kulich said. "We got to fix this."

Recent polling from FAU and Mainstreet Research USA also suggests Florida's swing state status may return this election.

Among likely voters, Floridians favored former President Donald Trump at 50% and Vice President Kamala Harris at 47%.

“If this trend holds, we may see a competitive race in Florida," stated Dr. Kevin Wagner, FAU professor of political science and co-director of PolComLab.

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