Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln was excluded from Florida's 1860 presidential ballot due to his party's anti-slavery expansion platform, leading to his absence on ballots in Confederate states except Virginia, contributing to the secessionist movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abraham Lincoln did not appear on Florida’s presidential ballot in 1860 because the Republican platform, which he represented, prohibited the expansion of slavery into future western states. This stance was in direct opposition to the sentiments in southern states, where slavery was a foundational part of their economy and social structure. Consequently, all future Confederate states, excluding Virginia, chose to exclude Lincoln's name from their ballots. The critical nature of this election highlighted the division within the country, as Lincoln's eventual victory with only a 40 percent popular vote and substantial support in the Electoral College further fueled secessionist movements, notably by the Fire-Eaters, who refused to accept Lincoln's leadership and his stance on slavery.