Results show strong bipartisan support for fair and equal treatment by the courts, as well as the importance of diversity on the bench
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2025
Contact: Damien Filer / 850-212-1858 / Damien@ProgressFlorida.org
TALLAHASSEE – The Courts Matter Florida Coalition today released a new poll with three questions also asked in a 2015 poll to see how Florida voters’ attitudes about our state courts have changed over the past decade. The 2025 poll also explores new issues around the courts that provide additional insights into how our state court system is viewed by Florida voters. While there are warning signs in this data, there are also some encouraging ones, as well as a remarkably consistent outlook over time on some key issues, especially given how much our state and national politics have changed in the past decade.
The results show a resounding 95% of Floridians believe it is important that people be treated fairly and equally in the criminal justice system, regardless of race or socioeconomic status – the exact same percentage found in 2015. However, in 2015, 85% identified this as very important and ten percent found it somewhat important. Those already very strong numbers polled even higher in 2025, with 91% deeming it very important and four percent somewhat important.
“This polling reinforces what was found a decade ago, that the overwhelming majority of Floridians place a high value on fair and impartial courts,” said Laura Guren Rodriguez, Florida State Policy Director for the National Council of Jewish Women, and Chair of the Courts Matter Florida Coalition.
In 2015, polling showed that 78% found it very (52%) or somewhat (26%) important for the judges who serve on the bench to reflect the diversity of Florida. The latest poll showed a five percent drop on that question overall to 73% of respondents. However, that included a five percent uptick in intensity with 57% finding it very important, and 16% considering it only somewhat important, which still reflects a strong majority of Floridians opposed to the state’s current anti-diversity policies.
The 2015 poll found that 54% of respondents believed all Floridians regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and age have equal access to justice in our courts. In the new poll, that number jumped to 68%.
“Florida is one of the most diverse states in the nation, and it’s important that we see that diversity reflected on the bench,” said Letitia Harmon, Senior Director of Policy and Research for Florida Rising Together. “But according to the latest report from the American Constitution Society, Florida ranks 35th on race and ethnicity representation.”
Following the 2015 poll, the Florida Access to Justice Project issued a report outlining recommendations to preserve the independence of Florida’s judiciary and ensure state courts reflect the diversity of the citizens of our state.
“Since 2001, when lawmakers gave the governor greater authority over who sits on judicial nominating commissions, Florida’s executive branch has exerted undue influence on our courts,” said Damien Filer, Communications Director with Progress Florida Education Institute and the Florida Access to Justice Project. “As a result, Florida courts are still in need of many of the same reforms outlined in our report a decade ago.”
The latest survey also included several questions not asked in the 2015 poll. In the new poll, only 57% of respondents agreed that the Florida Supreme Court treats people equally regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or economic background, and just 58% agreed that the Florida Supreme Court makes decisions based on the law and the constitution, not based on politics.
The new survey also asked, if the governor and the state legislature strongly disagree with a decision made by a state court, should they have to follow that court’s decision? Although 34% said they strongly (17%) or somewhat (17%) agree with this statement, the majority (52%) disagreed with 38% strongly disagreeing. However 78% of respondents agreed that state court judges should be able to decide a case without worrying about elected officials like the governor or state legislators removing them from the bench because those officials disagree with the judge’s decision.
“It is clear from our poll that Floridians place a high value on the importance of equal treatment by the courts and the independence of the judiciary, as well as diversity on the bench,” added Filer.
The new survey of 514 Florida voters was conducted August 18-19, 2025. Of note, the 2015 poll had an even split between Democratic and Republican respondents, while in the new poll, those surveyed identified as Republican +10.
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