ORLANDO, Fla. — A primary election exit poll conducted by the University of Central Florida found that economic issues and the cost of living are the top concerns for Orange County voters across party lines.
Respondents listed everyday expenses, including groceries, gas, housing and schools, as their primary financial burdens.
For some Puerto Ricans living in Central Florida, these rising costs are prompting questions about whether to remain in Florida or move back to the island.
For generations, Puerto Ricans have moved to Florida seeking jobs and economic opportunity.
Fernando Rivera, director of the UCF Puerto Rico Research Hub, noted that financial worries are widespread among local voters.
“Regardless of party affiliation, the top concerns continue to be the same ones, which is economic issues, everyday type of issues,” Rivera said.
Rivera explained that ongoing economic pressure can influence where residents choose to live.
“If those opportunities are not going to be available here in Florida or in the States, they might as well go back,” Rivera said.
In previous polling, UCF asked Puerto Rican residents about the likelihood of returning to the island. Rivera recalled past responses from that research.
“Very likely 6% ... very likely 19% ... yes, 28%,” Rivera said. In the latest survey, half of the respondents answered yes to considering a move back to Puerto Rico.
Central Florida’s Hispanic population is still primarily dominated by Puerto Ricans, though the region has also seen growth in Venezuelan, Colombian and Brazilian communities.
Rivera questioned whether the community can maintain its current trajectory.
“It’s still primarily dominated by Puerto Ricans ... Do we sustain this growth? Do we provide the opportunities for people to stay and have roots here in Central Florida, or what is it going to be?” Rivera said.
Beyond economic factors, Rivera noted that family needs and other personal concerns can draw people back to Puerto Rico.
Whether the survey responses reflect future long-term migration trends remains uncertain, as the poll’s specific methodology and full sample size were not detailed in the report.
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