1. Registration & ID
You must be registered by July 20, 2026 to vote in the August primary. Already registered? You're set — skip to the next section.
Register or change party by July 20, 2026
* About the deadline: Florida law sets July 20, 2026 as the registration deadline but doesn't specify a time of day. Online submissions at registertovoteflorida.gov are typically accepted until 11:59 PM, and paper applications must be postmarked or received by July 20. To be safe, register before 5 PM — don't risk a busy server, postal delay, or office closing costing you your vote.
- Register or update online at registertovoteflorida.gov — fastest way.
- By paper: mail to Monroe County SOE, 5200 College Road, Key West, FL 33040.
- To vote: bring a current photo ID with signature (driver's license, FL ID, US passport, military ID, etc.).
- The Key West City Commission race is non-partisan — every registered voter in District 2 can vote in it, no matter your party.
Full rules at votemonroeflkeys.gov →
2. Vote by Mail
Florida law changed. Even if you've voted by mail for years, your old request expired Dec 31, 2024. You must submit a NEW request — by 5 PM on August 6, 2026 — or you will not get a ballot.
⚠️ Request a NEW ballot by 5:00 PM, August 6, 2026
Don't push it. The 5 PM deadline is in Florida law (F.S. §101.62), not just an office-closing time. A request submitted online at 5:01 PM is legally invalid even if the website accepts it. Submit early.
- Request online at votemonroeflkeys.gov or by phone at (305) 292-3416.
- When it arrives: mark it, place it in the secrecy sleeve, and sign the back of the return envelope. Unsigned ballots cannot count.
- Return by Aug 18, 7 PM — by mail, at the SOE office, or at any early voting site. It must be received by 7 PM, not just postmarked.
- One new request covers August AND November — but it expires Dec 31, 2026.
Full rules at votemonroeflkeys.gov →
3. Military & Overseas Voters
If you're active-duty military, a military spouse or dependent, or a US citizen living overseas, you have your own simpler process and longer deadlines.
- Use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at fvap.gov/florida — it registers you and requests a ballot in one step.
- Your ballot is mailed at least 45 days early. Keep your address current — ballots are not forwarded.
- Return by mail or fax. Overseas voters get an extra 10 days after Election Day if postmarked by Aug 18.
- Just discharged? You can register at the SOE up to 5 PM the Friday before the election.
Full military voter resources at fvap.gov/florida → · SOE: (305) 292-3416
4. Early Voting
The easiest way to vote. Walk in any day for two weeks before the election — no lines, no appointment, no precinct rules.
August 3 – August 15, 2026 · Daily 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Monroe County SOE, 5200 College Road, Key West (Stock Island).
- Bring: a photo ID with signature.
- Any registered Monroe County voter can use any early voting site — you don't have to go to your assigned precinct.
- Got a vote-by-mail ballot you'd rather drop off? Bring it here.
Confirm hours and locations at votemonroeflkeys.gov →
5. Election Day — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Polls are open 13 hours. As long as you're in line by 7 PM, you can vote.
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM · In line by 7 PM = you can vote
- Vote at your assigned polling place — look it up at votemonroeflkeys.gov. (Unlike early voting, on Election Day you must go to your precinct.)
- Bring: a photo ID with signature. If your ID has no signature, bring a second ID with one.
- VBM ballot didn't arrive? Go to your polling place — you can vote a provisional ballot.
- Have a VBM ballot you didn't send? Bring it to surrender, and you can vote in person.
- Need help reading or marking the ballot? You can bring someone with you (not your employer or union rep).
Find your polling place at votemonroeflkeys.gov →
6. Problems & Help
If anything goes wrong before, during, or after voting — there's almost always a way to fix it. Don't give up on your vote.
- Signature missing or doesn't match on your VBM ballot? The SOE will contact you. You have until 5 PM Thursday, Aug 20 to fix it.
- Lost your VBM ballot? Call the SOE for a replacement, or go vote in person — they'll work it out.
- Forgot your ID at the polls? You can still vote a provisional ballot and bring ID to the SOE by 5 PM the next day.
- Wrong polling place? Poll workers will direct you to the right one — don't leave without voting somewhere.
- Pressure or problems at the polls? Call the Election Protection hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
Monroe County SOE: (305) 292-3416 · votemonroeflkeys.gov
7. November & Runoffs
For District 2, the August primary is the deciding race — only two candidates are running. But there's still a November ballot with state, federal, and other local races.
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- District 2 runoff is unlikely — with two candidates, the August 18 winner takes the seat.
- You'll still have a November ballot for state, federal, and other Key West/Monroe County races.
- November dates: Register by Oct 5 · Request a VBM ballot by Oct 22 · Early voting Oct 24–31 · Election Day Nov 3.
- One VBM request submitted now covers both elections — it expires Dec 31, 2026.
Full November details at votemonroeflkeys.gov →
