The Republican Party of Monroe County is urging voters to head to the polls Tuesday as Election Day turnout continues to build across the Florida Keys.
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 election.
Monroe County was trending among the top five counties in Florida for voter participation and hopes to repeat its previous performance as the state’s leading county for turnout.
“Right now, we’re trending in the top five, but we might be able to jump a few of those today if we have a good turnout on Election Day,” Rebman Lopez said.
Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies reported earlier Tuesday that more than 6,900 vote-by-mail ballots had been received and more than 4,000 voters had participated during early voting, putting overall participation at roughly 21% before Election Day voting was fully counted.
Rebman Lopez said the Republican Party has been working ahead of Election Day to encourage voters to become informed and participate.
She noted that many voters have work and family responsibilities and may choose to vote during their lunch breaks or after work. Polls are open until 7 p.m.
Rebman Lopez also encouraged voters to participate as the nation celebrates 250 years of independence, saying the right to vote represents an important civic responsibility.
“This is a working man’s day,” Rebman Lopez said. “A lot of people have to be at work and bring home the bacon.”
The election includes local and county races as well as statewide contests.
Rebman Lopez said several candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor visited the Florida Keys during the campaign, meeting with voters throughout the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys.
She also mentioned U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Moody’s visit to the Keys.
Rebman Lopez said the Keys can play an important role in statewide elections because of its ability to produce a strong voter turnout despite its relatively small population.
She encouraged Republican voters to support conservative candidates and cited lower taxes, smaller government, support for the military and veterans, election integrity and protecting the Florida Keys as priorities.
The Republican Party is also planning to participate in live election coverage Tuesday night as results are reported.
The Supervisor of Elections Office expects many of the results from Key West-area precincts to be available within roughly an hour after polls close, although the timing of the final results will depend on how quickly ballots are received and tabulated from precincts throughout the county.
Rebman Lopez urged voters who have not yet cast a ballot to participate before polls close.
“Just get out the vote,” she said. “God bless America. Thank our troops. Vote Republican. Vote conservative.”