JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Florida\u2019s races for governor and U.S. Senate are tightening, according to a new University of North Florida poll.<\/p>\n
The poll shows Republicans with narrow leads in both contests.<\/p>\n
In the governor\u2019s race, Republican Byron Donalds is at 49%, and Democrat David Jolly is at 47%. Donalds\u2019 lead is now two points, down from a five-point lead in July.<\/p>\n
UNF political science professor Sean Freeder said midterm races are often shaped by national election factors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president is not on the ballot, but people treat the president as if he\u2019s on the ballot,\u201d Freeder said. \u201cThe party of the president often suffers in midterms.\u201d<\/p>\n
On affordability and the cost of living, the poll shows 42% of voters trust Donalds more, compared with 43% for Jolly.<\/p>\n
On property insurance, Donalds has an advantage, with 43% of voters saying they trust him more compared with 38% for Jolly.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Senate race is also getting closer. Republican Ashley Moody leads Democrat Angie Nixon, 49% to 45%.<\/p>\n
Freeder said Nixon has benefited from national attention and increased name recognition..<\/p>\n
Voters also weighed in on Amendment 3, a property tax proposal that would increase the homestead exemption over time and lower the cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties.<\/p>\n
Half of those surveyed support the proposal, but that is short of the 60% needed to pass.<\/p>\n
Freeder said undecided voters could determine whether the proposal reaches that threshold.<\/p>\n
UNF surveyed nearly 1,500 likely Florida voters between Oct. 12 and Oct. 19. The poll\u2019s overall margin of error is plus or minus 2.81 percentage points.<\/p>\n
Election Day is Nov. 3.<\/p>\n
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