Key West, Florida Public Records

Florida law requires registration at least 29 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old by the next election, and provide a Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Municipal elections in the city cover the Mayor and City Commission seats. The Mayor and six City Commissioners serve staggered four-year terms in nonpartisan races typically held in November of even-numbered years, scheduled for the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The most recent municipal elections took place in November 2023, putting the next contests in November 2025 and November 2027 depending on which seats are up. Candidate qualifying generally happens in July or August. Information about local candidates, campaign finance reports, and ballot measures is available through www.keys-elections.org and the City Clerk's office at 305-809-3770. Residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting www.keys-elections.org and using the "Find My Polling Place" tool, which requires entering a name and date of birth or street address. Early voting in Florida begins approximately 15 days before Election Day and ends 2-3 days prior, with specific dates set by the Supervisor. The local early voting site is typically at the Marathon Government Center or other designated locations announced before each election. Florida public records law ensures extensive election information remains publicly accessible. Voter registration lists (with Social Security numbers and dates of birth redacted), campaign finance reports detailing contributions and expenditures, candidate qualifying documents, precinct-level results, and historical turnout data are all available through the Supervisor's office and website. Monroe County reported approximately 40,000 registered voters in the November 2024 presidential election with turnout approaching 70 percent. Precincts throughout the city consistently show high participation rates. The November 3, 2026 general election will be critically important for local voters. Florida does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026—those seats are next contested in 2024 and 2028—but Governor Ron DeSantis's term expires in 2026, meaning Florida will elect a Governor that November. Voters will also elect a U.S. Representative for Florida's 26th Congressional District, which includes the Florida Keys. State legislature races include Florida House District 120, representing Monroe County and part of Miami-Dade County. County-wide races in 2026 will include Monroe County Commission seats, Monroe County Supervisor of Elections, Monroe County Property Appraiser, Monroe County Tax Collector, and Monroe County Clerk of Courts, as well as judicial retention elections for circuit and county judges. City Commission seats may also appear on the ballot depending on the election cycle. Florida allows vote-by-mail balloting without requiring an excuse. Voters can request mail-in ballots online through the Supervisor's website, by phone, in writing, or in person. Mail ballot requests remain valid through the end of the calendar year of the second following general election, requiring periodic renewal. Voted mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office by 7:00 p.m. On Election Day to be counted.