Florida voters hold firm on vaccine requirements as new poll reinforces broad support — A new statewide poll from McLaughlin & Associates shows Florida voters aren’t budging on school vaccine policy. Nearly 8 in 10 support maintaining current requirements, a level that has held steady since January, even as the issue has drawn increased attention in Tallahassee. The data also shows a majority oppose the so-called “Medical Freedom Act” when they consider its implications, with large majorities saying concerns about measles outbreaks, disease spread, and undoing long-standing protections make them more likely to stick with the current law. “This is a durable consensus,” said McLaughlin. “You’re seeing nearly 8 in 10 voters support the current law, a majority opposed to changing it, and large majorities moving even more strongly in that direction when they consider the consequences. That tells you this issue holds up with voters. When you see this level of consistency across different questions, different framings, and over time, it means voters aren’t wavering. They support the current system, and that support strengthens under scrutiny.” The findings land as Senate President Ben Albritton refers SB 6D to Rules and asks that it move “as expeditiously as possible” during the upcoming Special Session, raising potential political risk for lawmakers as voters say they would be less likely to support those who weaken vaccine requirements. 
Florida voters back vaccine requirements as poll shows strong opposition to proposed changes. ___ A new poll shows Florida voters in four key Senate districts don’t want to see lawmakers redraw congressional lines. Right Count Action found about 57% of voters opposed redistricting in four districts, Senate Districts 10, 14, 26 and 28. Only 36% of voters supported redrawing lines. Two of those districts, SD 10 and SD 38, are represented now by GOP Sens. Jason Brodeur and Alexis Calatayud, respectively. Meanwhile, SD 14 and SD 26 are held by newly elected Sen. Brian Nathan and Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman. Specifically, voters were asked if they support or oppose “Gov. DeSantis calling a Special Session mandating legislators to redraw Florida’s congressional districts to make it easier to elect more Republicans to Congress.” “Even those who don’t outright oppose this mid-cycle redistricting view it as, at best, a distraction from the core economic issues ignored by the 2026 Legislature, and see it as a reason to vote against anyone who votes for new maps,” reads a polling memo from SEA Polling and Strategic Design. A majority in all four districts opposed redistricting — 53% in SD 10, 55% in SD 14, 65% in SD 26 and 54% in SD 38. Support didn’t exceed 40% in any jurisdiction, with 40% support in SD 10, 38% in SD 14, 31% in SD 26 and 34% in SD 38. Only 22% of voters said supporting a new map would make them more likely to vote for their state Senator, and 42% said it would make them less likely. ___ “DeSantis and Republicans prepare for next round of 2026 redistricting fight” via Matt Dixon of NBC News — Florida has emerged as the final battleground in a stalled national push to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 Midterms, as DeSantis calls lawmakers into Special Session to consider new districts that could yield up to five additional Republican-leaning seats. The effort faces resistance from within the GOP, with members warning aggressive redistricting could dilute Republican strongholds and jeopardize incumbents in competitive regions like South Florida and Tampa Bay. Legal risks also loom, as Florida’s Constitution bans maps favoring a political party, setting up likely court challenges. Democrats are preparing to target Florida seats, framing the move as a partisan power grab, while national Republican leaders argue it is necessary to counter gains in other states. 
DeSantis and Republicans prepare for next redistricting fight as Florida becomes 2026 battleground. —”As DeSantis prepares a map, Democratic critics prepare for court” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics “Eric Holder to Floridians: Tell Legislature its redistricting effort is ‘not acceptable’” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Holder says DeSantis’ plan to redraw Florida’s congressional map next week is designed to benefit Trump and “burnish” his own credentials with his “right-wing base” in case he decides to make another bid for the White House. “Florida Republicans are preparing to redraw their already gerrymandered map. Let me make that clear: They want to put a gerrymander on top of a gerrymander and potentially steal up to five additional seats in the Midterms this Fall,” Holder said Monday night in a Zoom conference call organized by Equal Ground Florida. His comment about another “gerrymander” is a reference to the 2022 congressional redistricting map that DeSantis’ office drew up to remove a seat in North Florida where Black voters had made up nearly half of the eligible voting population. —“Karl Rove sees ‘risk’ in Florida congressional redistricting” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics —“Byron Donalds supportive of DeSantis’ redistricting plans” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics “Legislature gets ready to debate AI bill of rights — again” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Sen. Jason Brodeur has filed two pieces of legislation to regulate artificial intelligence that will be debated during the upcoming Special Session. The Lake Mary Republican’s first bill is identical to the AI bill of rights that passed in the Senate but died in the House during the Regular Session. The 33-page bill contains several provisions that Senators have said would help protect consumers and children. But House Speaker Daniel Perez said previously he did not support it because he wanted the federal government to take the lead on AI regulation. Brodeur’s second bill creates a public records exemption for computer forensic reports, any information that would reveal weaknesses in a bot’s data security or proprietary information about a bot operator. —“‘AI Bill of Rights’: What happened, what’s in it, and what’s next?” via Liv Caputo of Florida Phoenix Happening today — House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell and Democratic Policy Chair Kelly Skidmore will hold a House Democratic Caucus media availability in Tallahassee to take questions on key issues facing Florida, with reporters invited to join via Zoom and a livestream available on The Florida Channel, where the event will also be archived: 1:30 p.m. |
