Florida Democrats, having crested on turning a couple of legislative seats from red to blue and later bringing thousands of protesters out to dozens of “No Kings” rallies across the state, now are turning to a new focus:
Voter registration.
As part of an effort by the Democratic National Committee, Florida Democrats are hosting 36 registration events across 15 counties into early April. Florida is among 26 states targeted in this first National Voter Registration Week of Action in advance of the November midterm elections.
“At the DNC, our motto is, when we organize everywhere, we can win anywhere,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
Roughly 2,000 demonstrators gather outside the Florida Capitol to voice their opposition to the Trump administration by participating in a No Kings protest Saturday, March 28, 2026.
A long way to go in Florida
Democrats have a long way to go to become competitive again in Florida, where registered Republicans now hold an almost 1.5 million voter-edge in registration. Republicans represent 41% of voters to 30% for Democrats, while no party-affiliated voters account for 25% of the electorate – a political wild card in any election.
Democratic fortunes dimmed in Florida a generation ago. But they’ve taken an even sharper nosedive during Gov. Ron DeSantis’ eight years in office.
Registration efforts by Democrats were minimal in recent election cycles, and the party has been hurt by a new law enacted by DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature which discouraged registrations by third-party groups, like the NAACP and League of Women Voters.
Republicans shrugged off the Democratic campaign: “We are on the verge of a 1.5 million voter advantage,” Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power said. “Voters are fleeing the Democrat Party and their radical ideas.”
This year, though, Martin and Florida Democrats see a chance.
Flipping seats across the nation gives Democrats hope
Democrats have flipped 30 Republican-held seats in legislatures across the country since Trump was sworn in for a second time.
The latest came March 24 when in special elections Democrat Emily Gregory won a state House seat in Palm Beach County and Democrat Brian Nathan captured a state Senate seat in Hillsborough County.
Gregory’s district includes President Trump’s home, Mar-a-Lago. The “No Kings” rallies then brought thousands of Floridians out March 28 to protest the president’s policies and personality across the state including even in red-leaning communities along the Treasure Coast and Southwest Florida.
With the GOP’s narrow control of Congress at stake in November, this marks the first time that the DNC has done partisan registration during a midterm election year. It’s a bid to fan the growing flame of opposition seen in recent election results and “No Kings” turnout.
In Florida, the voter registration drives began March 28-29 in Palm Beach and Lee counties, followed by early-in-the-week signups at Florida State University in Tallahassee and Miami’s Florida International University.
The University of Florida, University of Central Florida and University of North Florida have registration events set for April 1. The week’s efforts are scheduled to conclude April 3.
In Florida, voter registration drives began March 28-29 in Palm Beach and Lee counties.
Democrats have a new playbook
The registration drives across the U.S. coincide with the DNC’s release of its “Organizing and Political Playbook,” which is intended to guide campaign strategy ahead of the midterm elections.
The 212 page-playbook focuses on voter outreach, grassroots organizing, and reconnecting with specific voter groups.
Voter engagement is key to the strategy, with the party’s goal one of reaching voters skeptical of traditional cold calling and door knocking outreach.
Instead, party activists are encouraged to do more listening to voters, following up with texts and invitations to community events designed to keep the prospective voter involved and, ultimately, voting Democratic in November.
John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@usatodayco.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Democrats launch voter registration drive