Poll says Miami-Dade voters divided on most issues — and thinking of leaving

¡Que sorpresa! Looks like Miami-Dade voters more divided than a Cuban sandwich debate between Little Havana and Tampa (Little Havana, hands down).
A new Bendixen & Amandi International poll released this week shows just how divided, disillusioned, and downright dizzy our county’s electorate has become — with voters taking opposite sides on everything from fluoride to freedom, from ticket cameras to TPS for Venezuelans.
The 600-voter survey, conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 3, found Miami-Dade residents deeply engaged but sharply divided on a long list of hot-button issues — including some that hit very close to home. There’s no client. Bendixen & Amandi did it, well, because it had to be done.
“We thought it was an important service for the community to see how other voters felt on several important issues in the community,” Fernand Bendixen told Political Cortadito. “If we don’t do it, no one else will.”
He’s not wrong.
And if you think people are just tired of the politics, think again: more than half — 56% — said they’ve actively considered leaving Miami-Dade because of the high cost of living. That’s not just frustration. That’s flight risk.
Here are the results from this poll, with Ladra’s analysis:
No love for fluoride (or for big government in your tap)
In one of the more surprising results, 47% of respondents supported the county’s decision to stop adding fluoride to the water, despite decades of public health backing for the practice. That’s a strong nod to the anti-mandate, “don’t tell me what to do” streak that’s taken hold in Florida and national politics lately.
Read related: Survey of Kendall residents shows they agree on Calusa, split on fluoride
Republicans overwhelmingly backed the move (63%), Democrats opposed it (57%), and independents split right down the middle — which, come to think of it, is a pretty good metaphor for this whole poll.
Still, Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, who led the charge at the local level in lockstep with Gov. Ron DeSantis, will challenge these results. He will likely say the support is higher.
College over cult of personality
But even Trump’s diehards weren’t buying Tallahassee’s latest land grab. When asked whether the state should take land from Miami Dade College to build the Donald Trump Presidential Library, voters said absolutely not — by a stunning 74% to 14% margin. That’s how bad an idea it is.
Even Republicans in the poll — 59% — said to leave the land with the college. Apparently, not everything with the former president’s name on it deserves a gold-plated plaque in downtown Miami.
Divided on Venezuela, TPS, and deportations
The Trump administration’s approach to Venezuela still splits Miami voters right down party lines. About 35% support using military force to remove Nicolás Maduro, while 42% oppose it. Republicans back it (59%), while Democrats and independents don’t (57% and 51%, respectively). Same song, different verse.
And when it comes to ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans already here, half of Miami-Dade says no — but again, that split ends at a partisan level, where it’s Republicans for (68%), Democrats against (69%), and independents somewhere in between. You can practically hear the echo of 8th Street dominoes slamming over it.
On deporting undocumented immigrants without criminal records, voters went even more clearly blue: 60% oppose it, with strong opposition among Hispanics and independents. But a majority of Republicans (62%) support deportations of non-criminals, while a bigger majority of Democrats (84%), does not.
No goal for World Cup spending
If you thought Miami was giddy about hosting the World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium, think again. Two out of three voters — 66% — disagree with using $46 million in public money to help fund it. Apparently, residents have had enough of paying for billionaires’ parties, no matter how much Messi magic is promised.
Read related: Buyer’s remorse: Kionne McGhee wants refund on $46M to FIFA World Cup
It won’t matter to Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, the main champion of the county’s million dollar subsidy for the FIFA hosting team and their expenses, including $25 million worth in unpaid, “in-kind” police and fire rescue services.
Oh, and ICE is probably going to be out there vetting the fans. For free!
Affordability crunch bites hard
The most sobering number? The one Ladra mentioned earlier: 56% of county voters have thought about moving away because of affordability.
That’s major. That’s a slow-motion evacuation. It’s a county quietly voting with its feet.
Vaccines, mandates, and medical freedom
Predictably, the partisan divide over vaccines remains just as deep with 55% of the total respondents against and 40% in favor of the ban on mandates. Republicans overwhelmingly back the decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Lapado to end vaccine mandates (72%), while Democrats (82%) and independents (62%) reject it.
Read related: Ron DeSantis wants to make Florida the first state to scrap vaccine mandates
This is less a policy issue than a cultural one now — and the culture war lines here are as solid as the Turnpike.
Seaquarium site should stay ‘touristy’
More than half — 54% of the respondents — say the Miami Seaquarium, the management of which has been under fire for years, should remain a tourist attraction. Only 36% said it’s time to repurpose the property.
That’s some hesitation. And the question didn’t even mention that the redevelopment is going to be led by Terra’s David Martin or all the bells and whistles (more on that later).
Smile for the camera (or don’t)
Even the school zone speed cameras, a relatively new issue making headlines for conflicts of interests (more on that later), sparked debate: 54% want to keep them, 42% want them gone. Maybe that’s because Miami drivers are allergic to limits. Or maybe people just don’t trust government to ticket fairly.
Ladra would have expected it to tilt the other way. But it’s another split decision.
The big picture here is that Miami-Dade voters don’t agree on very much. They don’t trust each other. Half say they can’t even speak freely online without fear of retaliation. They’re divided on Trump, divided on DeSantis, divided on fluoride, freedom, and fines.
They do agree on three key things: (1) Miami Dade College should not give away the Biscayne Boulevard land for a Trump library, (2) There should be no public funds given to FIFA World Cup actives and (3) Nobody can afford to live here anymore.
“I see a community that seems to be tolerant of Donald Trump and Republican policies, but intolerant on particular issues,” Fernand Amandi said.
“We’re living in strange times. I lot of the people who support Donald Trump and think he’s doing a good job, are also significantly against some of his key policies, and it’s and no impact on his popularity.”
In conclusion, it looks like Miami-Dade voters are paying attention. They’re just not on the same page.
And maybe that’s what democracy looks like — Miami style: loud, conflicted, caffeinated, and ready to argue about it.

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