Decision Florida | WLRN

Preliminary numbers show record participation in early voting in Florida. In fact, according to the latest figures from the Florida Department of State, close to 5.3 million residents of the state have already cast their ballots. Decision Florida looks at how electoral authorities are dealing with reports of irregularities and how Florida is getting ready for expected historic turnout on Nov. 8.

Preliminary numbers show record participation in early voting in Florida. In fact, according to the latest figures from the Florida Department of State, close to 5.3 million residents of the state have already cast their ballots. Decision Florida looks at how electoral authorities are dealing with reports of irregularities and how Florida is getting ready for expected historic turnout on Nov. 8. Hosts Melissa Ross, from WJCT in Jacksonville, and Tom Hudson, from WLRN, look at the heavy turnout and claims of "rigged elections" in a conversation with Brian Corley, supervisor of elections of Pasco County, and Ion Sancho, supervisor of elections of Leon County. It's kind of insulting to hear charges of rigged elex, Brian Corley says. "It's simply not true." #DecisionFlorida — WLRN Public Media (@WLRN) November 4, 2016 Ion Sancho is Supervisor of Elections in Leon County. "Early voters redistributes turnout." Expects shorter lines on #ElectionDay — WLRN Public Media (@WLRN) November 4, 2016

This week on Decision Florida, hosts Matthew Peddie, from WMFE, and Tom Hudson, from WLRN, talk with former New Mexico governor and Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who rejected the term "spoiler candidate."

This week on Decision Florida, hosts Matthew Peddie, from WMFE, and Tom Hudson, from WLRN, talk with former New Mexico governor and Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who rejected the term "spoiler candidate." I could really give a hoot who I'm taking a vote from in presidential election, @GovGaryJohnson says #DecisionFlorida . — WLRN Public Media (@WLRN) October 28, 2016 #MedicalMarijuana on ballot in Florida. What does @GovGaryJohnson think about it? "Marijuana products don't kill anyone" #DecisionFlorida — WLRN Public Media (@WLRN) October 28, 2016 Patricia Mazzei from the Miami Herald and Josh Gillin from Politifact join the conversation to talk about Florida's "split ticket factor," where Hillary Clinton is wining the presidential debate but Marco Rubio is still leading the polls for Senate. Gillin explains Politifact's fact checking process and its ratings of both Marco Rubio and opponent Patrick Murphy's statements, particularly during their last debate. .

This week in Decision Florida, hosts Melissa Ross from WJCT and Tom Hudson from WLRN talk about voter access in light of the Donald Trump campaign's claims of a rigged election, how the November results will impact education in our state and the controversy around solar amendment 1.

This week in Decision Florida, hosts Melissa Ross from WJCT and Tom Hudson from WLRN talk about voter access in light of the Donald Trump campaign's claims of a rigged election, how the November results will impact education in our state and the controversy around solar amendment 1. With early voting starting on Monday October 24th, Susan Bucher, Supervisor of Elections in Palm Beach County, discuss the effects of extending the registration deadline one more week and how the County has been preparing for elections. Reporters Jessica Bakeman of POLITICO and Lindsey Kilbride of WJCT join the discussion about the politics of education in Florida, the big testing debate and how to attract new teachers. Decision Florida also tackled the controversy around solar Amendment 1, after a leaked audio from Sal Nuzzo, policy director of the James Madison Institute, revealed alleged maneuvering from utility companies to manipulate voters with the language of the proposal. Reporters Mary Ellen Klas

Hillary Clinton is far outpacing Donald Trump by historic margins among likely Miami-Dade County voters, according to a new WLRN/Univision 23 poll released today.

Hillary Clinton is far outpacing Donald Trump by historic margins among likely Miami-Dade County voters, according to a new WLRN/Univision 23 poll released today.

This week on Decision Florida, Melissa Ross from WJCT and Tom Hudson from WLRN talk about the gender gap in the presidential race and how could Donald Trump tapes impact races in our state.

This week on Decision Florida, Melissa Ross from WJCT and Tom Hudson from WLRN talk about the gender gap in the presidential race and how could Donald Trump tapes impact races in our state. Recent polling shows a massive gender gap in the presidential race. The website 538 finds that if only men could vote, Trump would win in a landslide. If only women could, Hillary Clinton would win by an even bigger margin. Reporter David Bauerlein of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville; Sergio Bustos, senior editor of Politico and Alexandra Glorioso from the Naples Daily News , join the conversation about how Florida female voters' take on election issues might diverge from the view of their male counterparts. How will they influence the ultimate outcome in this swing state? Will they split their votes on Election Day? Also, Floridians have filed thousands of insurance claims for millions of dollars for damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. What about government aid? Decision Florida discusses

Research has shown again and again that economic issues have the power to define elections. So this week on Decision Florida hosts Matthew Peddie from WMFE and Tom Hudson from WLRN drill down into the economic concerns of Floridians as they face the 2016 election and how the presidential candidates are planning to address them.

Research has shown again and again that economic issues have the power to define elections. So this week on Decision Florida hosts Matthew Peddie from WMFE and Tom Hudson from WLRN drill down into the economic concerns of Floridians as they face the 2016 election and how the presidential candidates are planning to address them. Boris Epshteyn, finance attorney and a senior advisor to the Donald Trump campaign, described the economic policies that the Republican candidate would put in place in case of being elected. "It is all about [the government] spending smartly," said Epshteyn. Austan Goolsbee, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors and advisor for the Hillary Clinton campaign, explained why the Democrat's candidate is emphasizing equal pay as a key economic issue. "The Clinton tax plan is about trying to get more money into the hands of American workers, getting wages up," said Goolsbee.

This week on Decision Florida, hosts Melissa Ross, from WJCT, and Tom Hudson, from WLRN, discuss how the 2016 election can affect health care in Florida.

This week on Decision Florida, hosts Melissa Ross, from WJCT, and Tom Hudson, from WLRN, discuss how the 2016 election can affect health care in Florida. But first, our hosts interview Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. In a tight race for the state, could she be the spoiler candidate for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? WFSU reporter Nick Evans and the Associated Press' Gary Fineout discuss the campaign in favor and against Amedment 2, the latest effort to legalize marijuana for medical use in the state. Fineout then joins WLRN reporter Sammy Mack and Daylina Miller from WUSF to talk about how this election can change health care in Florida.

This week on Decision Florida we talk about the sun, the sand and the water. Yes, really. Florida’s environment is one of our biggest assets -- and biggest political issues. From rising seas to water quality, septic tanks to solar power, John Davis from WGCU and Tom Hudson from WLRN host this week's discussion on how the 2016 elections can shape our environment.

This week on Decision Florida we talk about the sun, the sand and the water. Yes, really. Florida’s environment is one of our biggest assets -- and biggest political issues. From rising seas to water quality, septic tanks to solar power, John Davis from WGCU and Tom Hudson from WLRN host this week's discussion on how the 2016 elections can shape our environment. Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan governor and Hillary Clinton campaign surrogate, weighs in on how the Democratic candidate sees the threat of climate change and how it can be an economic opportunity for communities in Florida. Ed Russo, president of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition and Donald Trump campaign surrogate, explains why he has called the Republican presidential candidate "a highly respected environmentalist" and how, in his eyes, the solution to environmental challenges lies in local action instead of more governmental intervention. Reporters Amy Green, from WMFE-Orlando; Topher Forhecz, from WGCU-Fort

In 2012, Florida’s election results were decided by less than one percent. In 2000, fewer than 600 votes separated the candidates.

In 2012, Florida’s election results were decided by less than one percent. In 2000, fewer than 600 votes separated the candidates. Today, Florida remains a swing state, with an especially high number of registered independents. One in four registered voters in the state don’t declare any political party, making it the fastest growing political class in Florida. So, who exactly are Florida's swing voters? Decision Florida hosts Tom Hudson and John Davis from WGCU speak with WMFE News Director Catherine Welch, Washington Post National Correspondent James Hohmann and Asma Khalid, Campaign Reporter for NPR. While the top of the ticket this election year gets plenty of attention, the entire Florida legislature in Florida is up for election. Lawmakers elected in November will inherit a $77 billion state budget. Highlights of the discussion: "I'm more interested in people than their parties." -Chris in Miami on why he donates to candidates from different parties. #DecisionFlorida — WLRN

This week in Decision Florida, Scott Arceneaux, senior advisor to the Hillary Clinton campaign in Florida, and Susie Wiles, co-chair of Donald Trump Florida, discuss the approaches of both candidates to win the hearts and minds of voters in the swing state.

This week in Decision Florida, Scott Arceneaux , senior advisor to the Hillary Clinton campaign in Florida , and Susie Wiles, co-chair of Donald Trump Florida , discuss the approaches of both candidates to win the hearts and minds of voters in the swing state. Here are some of the highlights of the conversation: . @Scott_Arceneaux : "There's no silver bullet here. You got to win independents to win. That 1% is a whole host of voters." #DecisionFlorida — WLRN Public Media (@WLRN) September 9, 2016 . @susie57 says @AGPamBondi & @realDonaldTrump are friends. "Of course people want to politicize that." re: donation Trump made to Bondi — WLRN Public Media (@WLRN) September 9, 2016 Sergio Bustos, senior editor of Politico, and A.G. Gancarski , from FloridaPolitics.com, put Arceneaux and Wiles in context. And callers from across the state shared their perspectives on what each of the presidential candidates has to offer to Floridians. Country is in limbo with whats going on. "I do believe