CQ Voting Studies are an annual analysis of a member's support or opposition to a given position. Interest Group Ratings are based on rankings from groups chosen to represent liberal, conservative, business and labor viewpoints.Voting Participation scores are based on the number of times a member voted "yea" or "nay" on roll call votes (not including quorum calls in the House). CQ Vote Studies Year Presidential Support Party Unity   S* O* S O 1998 80% 12% 86% 6% 1997 71 29 82 12 1996 76 18 88 9 1995 82 14 86 6 1994 83 14 92 3 1993 91 7 90 6 S=Support; O=Oppose
Voting Participation Year % 1998 94 1997 94 1996 97 1995 91 1994 95 1993 94	Interest Groups Year ADA AFL-CIO CCUS ACU 1998 95% n/a 28% 4 % 1997 80 100 40 17 1996 85 90 33 5 1995 95 100 13 8 1994 95 78 50 10 1993 75 92 18 9
Note on Interest Groups: ADA=Americans for Democratic Action; AFL-CIO=American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations; CCUS=Chamber of Commerce of the United States; ACU=American Conservative Union

FLORIDA 17 : Southeast - Part of north Dade County; part of Miami; Carol City

One of the state's poorest districts, the 17th takes in portions of Miami and stretches from Homestead to near the Broward County line. Despite having the lowest voter registration in the state, the district routinely delivers the highest percentages for Democratic candidates in statewide and national elections.

The 17th has the highest percentage of blacks in the state. Residents live in a range of neighborhoods, from the more affluent northern suburbs to the economically depressed Liberty City and Overtown sections of Miami. Most of the district straddles U.S. Highway 1 and the Florida East Coast railroad, taking in small portions of Little Haiti and several Hispanic areas. Many of the district's white residents live closer to the beach north of Miami and tend to add to the 17th's Democratic base. The southern portions of the district come close to the edge of the Everglades and have more agricultural activity.

Aviation is a big part of the 17th: Miami International Airport, a hub for United Airlines, is located just outside the district. Another airport in Opa-Locka serves as base for civilian pilots. But the district, never an economic powerhouse, lost its major employer when Homestead Air Force Base was shuttered after Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992. A small reserve station and a NASCAR auto racing track now occupy much of the former base.

Major Industry
Transportation, health care, state and local government

Population
563,284 (1990)

Cities
Miami (pt.), 127,376; Carol City (unincorporated) (pt.), 43,858; North Miami (pt.), 39,540 (1990)

People
100% urban; 10% age 65+ (ranks 23 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally); 42% married couples, 21% married couples with children; 11% college educated (ranks 21 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally); 48% white collar (ranks 21 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally), 28% blue collar (ranks third of 23 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Race
37% white, 59% black, 1% Asian; 23% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$21,899 (ranks 21 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Opa-Locka's architecture is based on an Arabian theme, and the city holds an Arabian festival each year.

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