Monroe County Republican Executive Committee Chair Rhonda Rebman Lopez joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the upcoming election.
Voters should request and return their vote-by-mail ballots early becuase turnout is important during the August election cycle.
Participation has started slower than officials had hoped, despite Republicans leading the state in voter turnout during previous elections.
“Of course, we’ve got the governor’s race at the top of the ticket, so that’s big,” Lopez said. “I am a little disappointed right now. We’ve got to get the vote out more.”
She urged voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots to complete and return them rather than waiting until the last minute.
“Even though you ordered to vote by mail, if it’s laying on the kitchen counter, fill it out and get it in,” she said.
The start of early voting begins August 3, which runs through August 18, Primary Election Day. The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is August 6.
Florida requires a new vote-by-mail request for each election cycle.
“If you have not received your vote-by-mail ballot yet, then you need to request it because they’re already out there,” Lopez said. “People need to understand you have to request it each election. They don’t just automatically send them.”
Monroe County had recorded just over 2,100 vote-by-mail ballots returned as of today, representing approximately a 3.9% turnout. There is still plenty of time to improve participation before Election Day.
The Southernmost Republican Club met recently on Stock Island featuring local businessman Tom Crane of Key West Adventures as the guest speaker. The Monroe County Republican Executive Committee hosted an event featuring U.S. Senator Ashley Moody at Baby’s Coffee recently
“I think she had a great time,” Lopez said, adding that Moody took time to meet individually with attendees and tour the facility.
Monroe County continues to attract visits from statewide Republican elected officials and candidates because of its active grassroots organization and strong voter engagement.
“We’re very fortunate,” Lopez said. “We’re a place that people really like to come.”
While she acknowledged many Republicans still prefer voting in person on Election Day, Rebman Lopez encouraged those who will be traveling or unavailable to cast their ballots early.
“Republicans like to vote on Election Day, too, and they like to vote in person. I’m an Election Day voter, so I get it,” Lopez said. “But if you cannot make it, if you’re in another state or on vacation, get those ballots back in. I’d like to thank our troops, especially those in harm’s way. Thank our veterans, and God bless America.”
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