Weekly Dispatch - October 5, 2026

I don't know about you, but I love when Bert stands in with her opinionated rant version of the newsletter.  She always keeps us all informed in a special kind of way!  Thank you for saving my derriere!!!

TODAY, Monday, October 5, 2026 is the deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation. Register online in just a few minutes.  

Election Protection is a national, nonpartisan coalition providing voting information and assistance. If you have a question about registration, mail ballots, early voting, polling places, or another voting problem:

866-OUR-VOTE               866-687-8683

You can call or text the number and speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer.

The Keys Dems Precinct Leaders are busy, busy, busy, recruiting teams who are writing postcards to active Monroe County Dems who did not vote in the last two general elections. If you’ve already written postcards, THANK YOU!!!  If you have another batch, PLEASE KEEP GOING!  If you’ve never written one, THERE'S STILL TIME TO START!  Handwritten messages are personal. They remind voters that someone took the time to reach out and encourage them to participate.  Recruit a friend. Host a postcard party. Write another stack.  Make it fun!  One postcard. One voter. One more connection.

Coming Keys Dems events:

One of my favorite events is our October 8 Sunset Cruise on the Argo Navis out of Key West. It’s a big, comfortable boat with room to socialize. To get tickets, click on this link - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/argonavis2026

OCTOBER  Keys Dems Meeting dates are as follows;
Lower Keys/Key West – October 12 @ Brady’s Pub
Upper Keys – October 21 – Location TBA
Middle Keys/Marathon – October 28, @ Marathon Public Library and via Zoom

Volunteer Opportunities:
Goombay – Key West’s Festival to celebrate our Bahamian ancestors & Culture. October 16/17 – we will set up our voter registration and information booth at the street fair and need some more volunteers to help man the booth between Noon and 8PM. We also hope to have candidates running in our state and federal races stop by and meet the people. If you can spare a few hours, please email Holly – chair@KeysDems.com with GOOMBAY in the subject line.  Thank you!

LOCAL MEETINGS TO ATTEND THIS WEEK (Oct 5 - 11)

Monroe County Board of County Commissioners https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/
https://monroecounty-fl.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Mon - Oct 5
Monroe County Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - Hybrid 2:00 pm -4:00 pm @ Marathon Government Center - BOCC 2798 Overseas Hwy. 2nd Floor
Marathon  or via Zoom https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/88142895938

Tues - Oct 6

The Monroe County District V Advisory Committee (DAC V) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

Tues - Oct 6 
The District II Advisory Committee (DAC II) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, 31020 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key

Tues - Oct 6 
The District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Islander, 82100 Overseas Highway, Islamorada

Islamorada Village Council https://www.islamorada.fl.us/Calendar.aspx

Mon - Oct 5
Workforce / Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee will
meet at 5:00 p.m. at the Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, Third Floor Conference Room, Islamorada

Tues - Oct 6
Regular Village Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada

Thurs.- Oct 8
Village Council will meet for a Land Use Village Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada

Monroe County School Board: https://monroe-k12.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Tues - Oct 6
The Monroe County School Board will meet at 5:00 pm at Key West City Hall 1300 White Street Key West

The Upper Keys League of Women Voters is hosting a forum on Oct 6 at Coral Isles Church (MM90) at 5:30pm.  It will be on their Facebook feed and recorded.

EVERY Thursday- 4:30-5:30 @ FIRST HORIZON BANK--BIG PINE PROTEST RALLY

SOMBRERO AND OVERSEAS+++ TODAY 4:30---ANTI-ICE PROTEST - Join us!!