Dispatch - June 29, 2026
Monday, June 29, 2026
Good morning friends,
I hope you are all finding ways to stay cool in this heat! Whether you are celebrating the USA's 250th birthday or hosting a voter registration table - make sure you stay hydrated and take care of your well-being. As WE THE PEOPLE, celebrate the 4th of July this week, we must also prepare for the August 18th election. We were informed by the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections that the postage to mail your Vote-by-Mail ballot is $1.98, according to the post office floor supervisor. The Supervisor of Elections Office also needs additional election workers in the Upper Keys. If you are interested in serving as a poll worker, please contact Belinda at 305-453-8740.
July 9 - Voters will start to receive their Vote By Mail Ballots. Request your Vote-by-Mail Ballot HERE
July 20 - Last Day to Register to Vote! Check Your Voter Registration Status HERE
August 3-15 - Early Voting Begins
August 11 - Recommended Last Day to Mail In Ballots - send OVERNIGHT if you can!
August 18 - Election Day
As many of you know, our Vice Chair, Mr. Sebastian Rivera has resigned his position due to his work assignment taking him from South Florida to South Carolina leaving the Monroe County DEC Vice Chair position vacant. We will sure miss Sebastian being a part of our team! Please help me thank Sebastian for his time and dedication to the Monroe County DEC! We wish you all the best!
That being said, our bylaws state, "In the event of a vacancy in an elected office, such vacancy shall be filled by majority vote of the DEC members present and voting at the next regular meeting. The election of officers shall be the first item of new business at such meetings, provided that at least ten (10) days’ notice of such election shall be given to each member of the DEC. (b) Vice Chair:
1. Shall assist the Chair in the performance of such duties as may be requested by the Chair from time to time.
2. Shall act as Chair in the event of a vacancy in that office, with full powers as Acting Chair until such vacancy is duly filled.
3. Shall preside at all meetings of the DEC in the absence of the Chair and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair or prescribed by Florida Statutes, the Charter and Bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party, and these Bylaws.
4. The Vice Chair must be the opposite sex of the Chair, unless filling the unexpired term of either officer." If you are a voting member of the DEC and you are interested in serving as vice chair of the Monroe County DEC please email me at chair@keysdems.com Thank you!
LOCAL CANDIDATE EVENTS
Monday - July 6
Join Jim Marquardt, Candidate for Keys Energy Utility Board Seat A for a Meet and Greet from 6 - 7 pm at the American Legion, 803 Emma Street. Light snacks, cash bar
Monday - July 13th
Hometown Primary Forum 5:30-7:30 pm Tennessee Williams Theater
July 2026 Keys Dems Meetings - Please join us!
Lower Keys Dems will meet on Monday, July 6 at El Siboney on Stock Island beginning at 5:30 pm in the back room
Upper Keys Dems will meet on Wednesday, July 15th at Island Grill beginning at 5:30pm
Middle Keys Dems will meet on Wednesday, July 22 at 5:30pm in the Marathon Public Library.
Local Meetings to attend in the Keys This Week (June 29 - July 5)
City of Key West Meeting http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Wed - July 1 City Commission Meeting @ 9 am City Hall 1300 White Street Key West
Wed - July 1 Caroline Street Corridor and Bahama Village Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting @ 5:00 pm
or immediately following the City Commission Meeting
Wed - July 1 Naval Properties Redevelopment Authority Meeting @ 5:00 pm or immediately following the City Commission Meeting
ICE Out Protests
Big Pine Key has a weekly protest every Thursday @4:30 pm at First Horizon Bank Big Pine. Contact Elly Claire: 305-842-1785
MARATHON's ICE protests continue! Sombrero Road and Overseas Hwy @ 4:30pm today - See you there!
Please watch for a link to Laurie Swanson's interview with Kristin Battista-Frazee on Grassroots Connector a Substack podcast. The link will be out Tuesday. The Podcast is on Thursday at 8 pm ET at The Grassroots Connector Substack page. This is the same group that did a write up about Laurie as a grassroots activist. Read it here:
https://grassrootsconnector.substack.com/p/an-ode-to-organizers
Working on collections for Venezuela. We have a Venezuelan immigrant with a truck who is willing to take donations to Miami to be flown to Venezuela now. Swansons downstairs (620 9th St. KCB) is open now to accept donations. Below are two links that will let you know what is needed.
HOW TO HELP: South Florida donation drop-off locations to help
Venezuelans after earthquakes
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/06/26/how-to-help-south-florida-donation-drop-off-locations-to-help-venezuelans-after-earthquakes/
Helping Venezuela: Aid drop-off location opens in Homestead
Phil Ehr Democrat for Gimenez's job (US Congress). While Gimenez (https://www.facebook.com/RepCarlosGimenez/) is celebrating birthdays and CBP (ICE) cruelty, Phil Ehr is ramping up support for disaster stricken Venezuela.
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/06/25/helping-venezuela-aid-drop-off-location-opens-in-homestead/
Stay Safe Out There!