Monroe County Primary Election Results Expected to be Delayed

Supervisor says cause is new, secure data lines being installed to protect the integrity of future elections.

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — Results from Monroe County’s Aug. 18 primary election will take longer to report than in recent elections, Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies announced.

In recent years, results have typically been available between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on election night — even during presidential election cycles. Hodies did not estimate when complete precinct results would be available this year.

Hodies attributed the expected delay to the removal of aging copper communication lines previously used by precincts to transmit results by fax. Her office will not transmit election results over the internet, including through newly installed fiber-optic connections.

Instead, precinct workers will lock and seal voting results, document the chain of custody and turn the materials over to secure couriers for delivery to the appropriate Supervisor of Elections office for processing.

The change will not affect the reporting of early voting or vote-by-mail totals, which are expected to be available by 7:30 p.m. on election night.

Hodies said the additional procedures are intended to protect the accuracy, security and integrity of the election.

For more information on where to vote in your precinct, visit the City of Key West website.