Key West Election Information Moves to City Website
Shift mirrors statewide decentralization, raises oversight concerns
Been trying to find information on the upcoming Key West elections but having no luck with the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections website? That’s because responsibility for city elections has been handed over to the City of Key West and its City Clerk’s Office, which now hosts announced candidate filings, campaign finance reports, qualifying details and related information on the municipal website.
The transition means voters looking for information on mayoral and City Commission races will no longer find those details on the county elections page, a change that reflects a broader trend across Florida toward decentralizing municipal election administration.
Under the new arrangement, the Key West City Clerk’s Office is the primary point of contact for candidates and residents seeking information about citywide contests, including qualifying periods, campaign finance reporting and ballot details.
The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections continues to administer countywide, state and federal elections and will assist municipalities with logistics such as ballot tabulation or poll staffing.
City officials say hosting election information locally allows for quicker updates and more direct communication with candidates and voters. The practice is increasingly common statewide, with many Florida municipalities either running their own elections or sharing responsibilities with county supervisors.
The shift has drawn criticism from some residents and election observers who say placing municipal election information on a city-run website could create concerns about the appearance of political influence, particularly in smaller jurisdictions where incumbents play a prominent role in local government.
Critics note that the City Clerk operates within the municipal government structure and is ultimately an employee of the city, which is led by the mayor and city manager. While no allegations of direct interference have been raised, some watchdogs say the arrangement could create the perception that incumbents — particularly mayors — hold greater sway over how election information is presented or disseminated.
They also point to what they describe as the City of Key West’s recent record on transparency and adherence to government-in-the-sunshine principles, arguing that moving election information off an independent county platform may further strain public confidence. In that context, some critics say the shift may not bode well for perceptions of free and open municipal elections.
City officials say election procedures remain governed by Florida law and subject to public-records and Sunshine Law requirements, emphasizing that the change primarily affects where information is posted rather than how votes are cast or counted.
For voters, municipal election details for Key West are now available on the City of Key West website rather than the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections site. Residents are encouraged to check both sources to ensure they have current information on all upcoming races.