5,698 Florida voters are 100 or older

More than 5,698 residents of Florida are registered voters who have passed the age of 100.

These individuals appear on state voter registration records and continue to participate in elections. They view voting as a civic duty that persists regardless of age or physical limitations. The 2026 midterm elections will test control of Congress while reflecting public sentiment on economic management, the war in Iran, and immigration enforcement under the current administration.

The oldest voters in Florida display the same political polarization as the rest of the nation. Their partisan affiliations and candidate preferences vary widely across the state. They observe the current political climate as increasingly divisive, yet they maintain consistent participation in the electoral process.

Alice Lesko, 111, resides in Palm Springs in South Florida. She mailed her ballot for the upcoming midterms after her eyesight declined and signing her name became difficult. Lesko is a registered Democrat in Palm Beach County, a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans. She recalls voting for Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidency in the 1930s and 1940s. She contrasts the current president with Roosevelt, stating that the current leader prioritizes his family over the general population.

Virginia Henderson, 103, lives in Middleburg in Clay County, southwest of Jacksonville. She is a registered Republican in a county where Donald Trump received 70% of the vote in 2024. Henderson remains supportive of the president, acknowledging the complex challenges he faces. She compares her current feelings to her past disappointment with Richard Nixon, whose presidency ended in 1974. She advises that people should verify information with their own observations before forming opinions.

Other centenarians express similar persistence in voting. Ruth Manger, 103, in Bradenton votes along Republican lines. She is blind and relies on radio broadcasts for news coverage. Edith Hirsch, 104, in Boynton Beach is a Democrat and Holocaust survivor who voted early with family members. Eugene Martin, 103, in Lake Worth Beach is unaffiliated and a World War II veteran. He mailed his ballot and respects the presidency as an institution, comparing it to saluting a uniform rather than the individual wearing it.

These voters offer specific guidance to younger generations. Manger recommends researching candidates carefully to identify those who will lead effectively at local and state levels. Hirsch describes voting as the right action to take. Lesko encourages people to vote for candidates they believe in, though she notes the difficulty in trusting political figures. Martin worries that artificial intelligence and technology are affecting the ability of younger voters to read, write, and absorb information critically.

Henderson emphasizes that voting provides a voice in governance. She states that without voting, citizens cannot have a say in matters that affect them. Martin expressed concern about the state of American democracy, noting that he was born in a democracy that is now being effectively destroyed. The group of centenarians remains engaged in the political process despite these concerns and the physical challenges of aging.