Rhonda Rebman Lopez, chair of the Republican Party of Monroe County, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the upcoming election.
Voters should make a plan to cast their ballots and residents who plan to vote by mail should ensure their ballots arrive on time.
Early voting is scheduled to continue through Oct. 31, with five locations available throughout Monroe County.
Rebman Lopez said voters can use any of the five sites during early voting, regardless of their assigned precinct.
“Anytime, anywhere you can get a chance to vote during those hours and these dates. Let’s do it,” Rebman Lopez said.
She also highlighted Monroe County’s previous voter turnout, saying the county earned recognition from the Republican Party of Florida for having the highest percentage of Republican voters turn out among the state’s 67 counties during the previous election.
“Now we might be small in population, but we’re mighty in determination, and we’re strong in our leadership, and we’re united in purpose,” Rebman Lopez said.
The county party is working to build on that record through voter outreach, fundraising, text messages and emails encouraging residents to participate.
Rebman Lopez voiced support for Amendment 3, a proposed Florida constitutional amendment concerning property taxes.
The proposal would increase the non-school homestead exemption to $250,000 and reduce the annual assessment cap on non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%, subject to the amendment’s provisions and effective dates.
“Any time Republican Party can lower taxes, we’re ready to do it,” Rebman Lopez said. “And this will definitely put more money into our hardworking taxpayers’ pockets.”
She urged voters to support the amendment, which requires approval by at least 60% of voters statewide to pass.
Asked about polling on the proposal, Rebman Lopez cautioned that surveys do not necessarily predict election results accurately. She said she had reviewed several polls and believed support for the amendment was increasing.
Ultimately, she said, turnout would be critical.
Rebman Lopez also encouraged voters who requested mail-in ballots to check the status of their ballots as Election Day approaches.
She said she had received calls from voters who reported mailing their ballots weeks earlier but were concerned they had not arrived. In some cases, she said, she connected voters with the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections office to determine whether another ballot could be issued.
“Common sense tells you if you really want it to get there at this point, you might want to do a two-day mail, three-day mail, and make sure and get that vote in there, and track your ballot,” Rebman Lopez said.
She advised voters whose ballots had not been received to contact the elections office promptly to discuss their options, including obtaining a replacement ballot or voting in person.
Official information about early voting locations, deadlines and ballot tracking is available through the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections website at VoteMonroeFLKeys.gov.
Rebman Lopez said the Republican Party of Monroe County has worked to bring candidates to the Florida Keys during the election cycle, giving local voters opportunities to meet them and hear their positions.
She said those visits also encourage volunteers to become more involved in campaign activities, including placing signs and making calls to voters.
Rebman Lopez expressed confidence in Republican candidates in some statewide races but acknowledged that other contests could be closer.
She urged voters to contact friends and family members, offer transportation when needed and make sure they follow through with voting.
“It’s funny, they take it for granted, and really, you’ve just got to be vigilant,” she said.
Rebman Lopez added that the party’s local clubs throughout the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys have been active in organizing meetings and encouraging participation.
With early voting nearing its conclusion and Election Day approaching, she said the party’s immediate priority is getting voters to the polls.
For more information on the Republican Party, click here: https://www.keysgop.com/