A.G. Gancarski
A majority of Florida voters disapprove of two key pieces of legislation on social issues backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to a new survey.
Released Monday, the fresh Spectrum News/Siena College Poll shows 50% of respondents oppose the “Parental Rights in Education” measure, which critics have pejoratively called the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Just 44% of respondents approve of the legislation.
The Parental Rights law bans classroom “instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity” for students in kindergarten through third grade, or “in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
The “Stop WOKE” Act, which is still being litigated in the courts, prohibits the teaching of so-called critical race theory in K-12 classrooms and workplaces. Similarly, it is a political loser, with 51% disapproval against just 34% approval.
Central to the unpopularity of both measures is a significant minority of Republicans. A full 28% of them disapprove of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, showing that the negative branding of the legislation left an impression on these respondents. Meanwhile, a staggering 38% of Republicans disapprove of “Stop WOKE,” against just 48% approval.
The overall opprobrium against both these pieces of legislation extends to all age groups, except in one case. A majority of respondents between the ages of 50 and 64 back the Parental Rights in Education legislation, with 52% approval against just 37% disapproval. But otherwise, the measure is underwater among people of all ages.
The measures are also underwater with both White voters and Black voters. However, the Parental Rights in Education law is backed by a plurality of Latino voters, with 49% support against 46% disapproval.
The Spectrum News/Siena College poll of 669 likely voters was taken before Hurricane Ian, between Sept. 18 and Sept. 25. Republicans made up 34% of respondents, Democrats 33%, and Independent/Other 28%. The poll had a 4.5-point margin of error.
13 comments
Ocean Joe
October 3, 2022 at 6:05 pm
Florida, at least before the latest waves of red folks, has always had and elected moderates. (Claude Kirk may be an exception, but won on the white backlash after Haydon Burns lost the Dem primary).
This legislation is not moderate. It is extreme. As are other actions, like appointing a QAnon supporter who openly talks about civil war and does not have a college degree to the university board of trustees.
He may well win on other grounds, but there’s no question he would rather run for president and dishes out this idiotic stuff to move ahead in the GOP, instead of focusing of what Florida needs.
Elliott Offen
October 3, 2022 at 6:27 pm
How about the “Stop the Bible Act.” Too many kids being indoctrinated with mind bending religion that encourages people to be crucified and take slaps to the face 70 times. Not to mention the Bible is full of lies about the origins of earth, animals, and mankind. Also gruesome punishments.
User187
October 3, 2022 at 7:03 pm
How about a “Stop the white liberals” act?
Elliott Offen
October 3, 2022 at 8:34 pm
Liberalism is basically freedom and individualism. What do you want? Fascism, authoritarianism, far right police state? You people are drunk on right wing propaganda and don’t know your azzhole from your lips is the problem. You guys have de-evolved back into apes.
PeterH
October 3, 2022 at 7:23 pm
REPUBLICANS ARE ALWAYS TELLING EVERYONE ELSE HOW TO BEHAVE!
Abstaining from debates, voter suppression, cultural wars, racist dog whistles, controlling women’s reproductive health decisions and irrational gun legalization are all weapons in the Republican arsenal to win elections.
REPUBLICANS ARE AMERICA’S PROBLEM!
VOTE ALL REPUBLICANS OUT OF OFFICE!
Jerry
October 3, 2022 at 8:35 pm
Yeah? What party was trying to force every American to be fired from their jobs if they don’t get an experimental vaccine? Yet you want to sit there and preach about how Democrats support freedom in healthcare decisions?
You are a joke!
Joe Corsin
October 3, 2022 at 10:24 pm
Yeah that ship has sailed and the GOP is still a far right party. Time for some new material buddy. Let me guess, “Sleepy Joe, Hunter’s laptop, inflation.” 🤡
Tommy
October 6, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Little Jerry is afraid of getting a shot.
Dick
October 11, 2022 at 1:11 am
The only culture the guvvna ever had was captured by a hazmat team in a petri dish.
Frankie M.
October 3, 2022 at 7:23 pm
Both pieces of legislation are solutions in search of problems. CRT has never been taught in schools. Sex ed has never been taught in primary schools. These witchhunts were designed to whip the blue hairs in Avondale into a frenzy so they’ll show up at the polls. (See VA.) Looks like folks are getting tired of the boy who cried wolf.
Elliott Offen
October 3, 2022 at 8:39 pm
Yeah they don’t have any other platform that involves doing anything for anyone who isn’t rich…so they have to pull right wing stunts. Pretty pathetic and in the long run it’s not going to work. Just gonna create a bunch of stupid people who nobody accept other stupid people want to be around. Trump was a social and civil disaster and other idiots are just prolonging it.
Jerry
October 3, 2022 at 8:43 pm
DeSantis is easily going to be re-elected. So this poll and this article is garbage. Look what happened in August. Massive sweeps of conservatives taking over school boards all over the state. Obviously the voters aren’t happy with the liberal indoctrination in our schools. Why doesn’t this article discuss those conservative victories? All you want to do is focus on these rigged polls to push your left wing agenda. This is why no one trusts the media anymore.
The election is the only poll that matters. And it will speak loud and clear next month, both in Florida and in Washington.
Fat Cammack
October 3, 2022 at 10:27 pm
What about me baby doll? Are you gonna vote for me? I’ll tell you what…if you do I might just get naked, stand over your head, and let my feet fly out from underneath me. Give you a horrible greasy ass face pound, face sit, face scrub.🍩💋
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