The results of Florida’s presidential primary went as expected in the Keys on March 17: Democratic nominee Joe Biden topped Bernie Sanders by 60.69% to 23.12%. Also, voter turnout was low. In the 2016 presidential primary, 43.18% of Keys residents cast a ballot. In 2020, only 30.44%, or about 16,000, cast a ballot.
Flexible funding for the Monroe County School District was overwhelmingly approved. Eighty-two percent of voters said “yes” to allowing a tax shift — increasing by a half-mill the tax levy that can be used for school district operations, salaries and classroom materials, while lowering the tax by the same half-mill on what could be spent on capital improvements, or construction.
“As a school district, we are so appreciative to Monroe County voters for giving us the ability to continue to have the flexibility to direct some of our capital funds to operating costs,” said Monroe School District Board Chairwoman Mindy Conn. “This helps to keep our teachers some of the highest paid in Florida. In these uncertain times, I am incredibly thankful for this overwhelming support.”
Former superintendent John Padget masterminded the Flexible Funding initiative about 17 years ago in order to identify funding that would make Monroe County teachers’ salaries the highest in the state. Voters must approve the tax renewal every four years.
If the polling places seemed empty in the Florida Keys, there’s a reason. More voters cast absentee ballots (3,140) and voted early (1,981) than showed up in person to vote on election day (3,497).
Biden’s win in Monroe County reflected statewide totals as well. With 98% of Florida precincts tallied, Biden collected 61.7% of the vote to Sanders’ 22.9% of the vote.
In Monroe County, President Donald Trump received 91.83% of the vote. After the Florida votes were tallied, the Republican National Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced President Trump has the necessary delegates to be the party’s presumptive nominee in his bid for re-election to a second term. Republicans had already called off presidential primary races in many states.
