A second poll taken after the first presidential debate shows Hillary Clinton leading in Florida, the largest swing state in the Electoral College.
Mason Dixon released a poll on Friday showing Clinton ahead in the Sunshine State with 46 percent. Republican Donald Trump garners 42 percent. Libertarian Gary Johnson pulls 7 percent while Green Party candidate Jill Stein takes 1 percent. On Thursday, Public Policy Polling (PPP) unveiled a poll showing Clinton with 45 percent, Trump with 43 percent, Johnson at 3 percent and Stein taking 1 percent.
In the Mason Dixon poll, both of the major party candidates are upside down. Clinton is seen as favorable by 39 percent and unfavorable by 47 percent while 14 percent are neutral on her. Trump is seen as favorable by 31 percent and unfavorable by 53 percent while 16 percent are neutral on him. Johnson is unknown to 32 percent while 17 percent see him as favorable, 14 percent as unfavorable while 37 percent are neutral on him. Stein is the most unknown of the candidates with 72 percent not familiar with her while 8 percent see her favorably, 7 percent view her in an unfavorable light and 13 percent are neutral on her.
Clinton has nailed down her Democratic base, taking 83 percent but 10 percent of Democrats back Trump. Most Republicans--77 percent--are for Trump but 13 percent favor Clinton. Voters outside the major parties go Trump’s way 41 percent to 33 percent for Clinton. Johnson pulls in 19 percent of voters outside the major parties.
There’s a gender gap as a majority of women--54 percent--prefer Clinton while 36 percent are for Trump. Almost half of men--49 percent--are behind Trump but 37 percent support Clinton.
There’s also a racial divide in the Sunshine State. Clinton takes 92 percent of black voters while only 1 percent are for Trump. A majority of white voters--53 percent--are for Trump while a third--33 percent--back Clinton and 10 percent support Johnson. Hispanics lean Clinton’s way as she reels in 64 percent of them while 29 percent prefer Trump.
Clinton is running strongest in Southeast Florida where she takes 58 percent of voters while 29 percent are for Trump. She’s also ahead in the Tampa Bay region 47 percent to 40 percent. Trump runs strongest in North Florida where he gets 53 percent while Clinton takes 37 percent. Trump also claims a majority--51 percent--in Southwest Florida where Clinton pulls 36 percent. In Central Florida, Trump is ahead 46 percent to 43 percent.
The poll of 820 registered Florida voters was taken from Sep. 27-Sept. 29 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.
