The economy remains the top concern for likely Florida voters with less than two weeks until Election Day, according to a Bay News 9/News 13 Florida Decides exclusive statewide poll.

About 4 in 10 voters who participated in the poll, conducted Oct. 20-24, said the economy is the most important issue in 2016. Among those voters, Hillary Clinton leads 5 to 4.

Terrorism, with 18 percent, was No. 2. Thirteen percent of respondents said immigration was the top issue, and 12 percent were for national security. Education and environment came in last.

Earlier this year, likely Florida voters also said the economy was the top concern with 41 percent.

Despite the economy being the top issue, voters are concerned about other issues, too.

"When the terrorist attack happened in my backyard, I knew I had to get involved, so I think keeping our country safe is what got me out to vote," said Brock Boulden, a voter, who was referencing the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12 in Orlando.

Other voters said they want a cleaner environment for their children.

"Leaving a footprint for our future generation of grandkids, my children's children, I think it's a big deal," said Dilandrea Finley, a voter.

Immigration was the third most important issue, with 13 percent.

"They weren't just let in and given things for free," George Gonzalez said. "They each had factory jobs, things like that. When they're letting in all these people across the border, it really, really is a security issue and a problem."

Donald Trump leads by 49 points among voters focused on immigration, but only 1 in 8 voters said immigration is the most important issue, the poll found. But not everyone has the same view on the issue.

"I know a lot of immigrants that are here illegally that are working," Gonzalez said. "That are actively participating and contributing to the community in positive ways."

Dragoon said that to solve other issues like immigration, national defense and the environment, the United States needs a good economy.

"I think we need people that have the conceptual ability to understand all the interconnections from all the various factors that have an impact on the economy and how the economy effects all the other programs — from education to health care to the military. You know, soup to nuts."


 

Q: Which issue is the most important to you this election year?

  All Gender Age Race
Male Female 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ White Black Asian/
Other
Immigration 13% 15% 11% 12% 12% 11% 17% 13% 14% 11%
Terrorism 18% 13% 22% 12% 16% 20% 21% 18% 19% 8%
Economy 39% 40% 37% 35% 40% 42% 37% 38% 44% 39%
National Security 12% 12% 11% 8% 16% 10% 12% 12% 9% 14%
Education 6% 6% 6% 11% 5% 5% 4% 6% 5% 8%
Environment 5% 6% 4% 7% 4% 6% 4% 5% 3% 10%
Other 6% 7% 5% 10% 5% 5% 5% 6% 5% 8%
Not Sure 2% 1% 3% 4% 2% 1% 1% 2% 0% 2%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Composition of Likely
November Voters
100% 49% 51% 19% 26% 29% 27% 80% 14% 7%
  Party Affiliation
Strong
Rep.
Republican Ind. lean
Rep.
Independent Ind. lean
Dem.
Democrat Strong
Dem.
Immigration 23% 17% 19% 13% 5% 7% 6%
Terrorism 21% 19% 17% 14% 10% 21% 16%
Economy 34% 41% 40% 37% 38% 43% 40%
National Security 17% 13% 17% 9% 7% 9% 9%
Education 1% 3% 0% 5% 14% 9% 10%
Environment 0% 2% 0% 7% 14% 6% 9%
Other 3% 4% 4% 13% 9% 2% 8%
Not Sure 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 4% 1%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Composition of Likely
November Voters
16% 16% 13% 12% 9% 18% 15%

Surveyed: 1,251 likely November voters
Margin of sampling error: ± 2.8%

This Bay News 9/News 13 Exclusive statewide Florida Decides poll was conducted by SurveyUSA from Oct. 20-24. SurveyUSA interviewed 1,400 state of Florida adults, 1,314 of whom were registered to vote. Of those registered, 1,251 were determined by SurveyUSA to be likely to vote in the Nov. 8 general election. Just 1 percent of voters interviewed for this survey said they "almost always" vote in presidential elections but will not vote in 2016 because they do not like any of the candidates on the ballot. Five percent of voters said they "almost never" vote in presidential elections but will vote in 2016 because they were drawn to one of this year's candidates. Importantly: These "new" voters are spread across the political spectrum; they are not disproportionately Trump supporters. All of the interviews for this survey were conducted after the third presidential debate and at a time when Trump described himself as "unshackled." This research was conducted using blended sample, mixed mode. Respondents reachable on their home telephones (65 percent of likely voters) were interviewed on their home telephones in the recorded voice of a professional announcer. Respondents not reachable on a home telephone (35 percent of likely voters) were shown a questionnaire on the display of their smartphone, tablet or other electronic device.