Florida in the Tipping Point: The Sunshine State in the U.S. Presidential Elections

This article examines presidential election processes in the state of Florida. A set of criteria is proposed for the definition of its swing state condition whereby it can be observed that Florida is in compliance since the early 1990s. The electoral impact of Florida is considered in light of the growth of its electoral college and its transformation into a swing state is interpreted as a state-level expression of the political realignment that followed the transition period of the 1970s and the 1980s. An ongoing trend of changes in the composition of Hispanic communities is also observed, as well as variations in their electoral behaviors. Within the frame of a national transition process, the registered trends and data indicate the existence of suitable conditions for a new political realignment in Florida as part of a nationwide realignment. The emerging configuration of the political system in this state is undetermined.