Poll Shows More Than Half in Florida Prefer Not to Wait to Vote

ST. LEO, FL – A new survey from the Saint Leo University Polling Institute (http://polls.saintleo.edu) shows that fewer than half of those polled across the country and in Florida planned to wait until Election Day to cast their votes in the general election. With other methods for casting ballots available, voters were considering all options, the survey showed.

Health concerns because of COVID-19 were apparently a factor in influencing respondents to favor options other than voting on Election Day. About half the respondents, 48.9 percent nationally and 55 percent in Florida, strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that they had “personal health and safety concerns over voting in person.”

"Voters clearly want to exercise their political duty while being as safe as seems possible,” said Frank Orlando, director of the Saint Leo University Polling Institute, and a political scientist. “While voting in person should be safe, the fact that so many voters have found different modalities may make Election Day less tense than in years past. It also may mean that exit polls and vote tallies will be handled differently than we are used to."

The charts below indicate how respondents from Florida, and across the nation, said they want to vote. The responses are shown in descending order.

Florida list

• By a mail-in ballot I received/will be receiving 37.4%
• In-person on Election Day, Nov. 3 30.2%
• By early, in-person voting 18.6%
• Requesting an absentee ballot 12.0%
• Unsure 1.2%

National list

• In person on Election Day, Nov. 3 39.3%
• By a mail-in ballot I received/will be receiving 30.2%
• By early, in-person voting 13.6%
• Requesting absentee ballot 11.2%
• Unsure 3.4%

The survey collected results from September 27 to October 2 from 1,000 respondents nationally and from a parallel sample of 500 respondents in Florida. The margin of error for the national sample is plus or minus 3.0 percentage points, and plus or minus 4.5 percentage points for the Florida sample.

To see more results about opinions on voting and election matters issues including possible voter suppression, potential for voter fraud, and overall faith in the elections system, see the full release here: http://polls.saintleo.edu/saint-leo-u-survey-points-to-notable-interst-in-voting-by-mail-confidence-in-essential-elements-of-the-voting-system/

About the Poll

METHODOLOGY: This national survey was conducted from September 27 through October 2, among a base of 1,000 respondents nationally, using an online instrument. The national sample has an associated margin of error of +/- 3.0 percent at a 95 percent confidence for questions asked of all 1,000 respondents.

The statewide survey was also conducted from September 27 through October 2, among a base of 500 respondents, using an online instrument. The sample has an associated margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent at a 95 percent confidence for questions asked of all 500 respondents.

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute conducts its surveys using cutting-edge online methodology, which is rapidly transforming the field of survey research. The sample is drawn from large online panels, which allow for random selections that reflect accurate cross sections of all demographic groups. Online methodology has the additional advantage of allowing participants to respond to the survey at a time, place, and speed that is convenient to them, which may result in more thoughtful answers. The Saint Leo University Polling Institute develops the questionnaires, administers the surveys, and conducts analysis of the results. Panel participants typically receive a token incentive—usually $1 deposited into an iTunes or Amazon account—for their participation.

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute survey results about national and Florida politics, public policy issues, Pope Francis’ popularity, and other topics, can also be found here: http://polls.saintleo.edu. You can also follow the institute on Twitter @SaintLeoPolls.

Media contacts:

Jo-Ann Johnston, Saint Leo University, University Communications jo-ann.johnston@saintleo.edu or (352) 467-0843 (cell/text).

Mary McCoy, Saint Leo University, University Writer & Media Relations, mary.mccoy02@saintleo.edu, (352) 588-7118 or cell (813) 610-8416.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation, offering nearly 60 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs to more than 19,500 students each year. Founded in 1889 by Benedictine monks, the private, nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education to learners of all backgrounds and ages in the liberal arts tradition. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a residential campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, 16 education centers in five states, and an online program for students anywhere. The university is home to more than 95,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.