Florida Keys voters are wasting no time getting their primary ballot choices on the record. Early voting and vote-by-mail ballots surpass the final tally in the 2014 gubernatorial election and are closing in on vote totals for the 2016 presidential ballot.

Stats reflecting ballots cast by end of day Thursday and released this morning (Friday, Aug. 24) by the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections are tracking on record numbers — and there are two days left for early voting.

Almost 17 percent of registered voters have cast ballots in early and vote-by-mail. The “vote-in-person” primary election is Aug. 28. Early voting ends 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, Vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the clerk’s office by 7 p.m., Aug. 28. Postmarks do not count.

Early voting totals in 2014 were 1,783. As of Thursday evening, early voters in Monroe County had cast 2,119 ballots. In 2014, vote-by-mail totals were 6,003. Currently, 6,548 voters have cast vote-by-mail ballots. Both are statistically significant increases and there are still two early voting days left.

Historically, primary elections don’t fare well in bringing out voters, and primary elections not associated with a presidential primary do even worse. So, seeing these 2018 primary early ballots coming in at a steady clip to record breaking indicates voters are heavily engaged in the current Florida, county and local elections.

For complete information on primary candidates, poling places and ballot questions coming in November, bookmark the state League of Women Voter’s Vote411 guide.

Another great informational website is Be Ready To Vote.

Aug. 23,2018 – Thursday, Aug. 23 with two more days of early voting ?

• Early Vote – 2,119 – over 2014
• Vote by Mail – 6,548 – over 2014
• 8,667 – 16.39%

Learn more

Be Ready To Vote

Vote 411

Monroe County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Voting Assistance Program