On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette took advantage of early voting at the Miami-Dade Elections Department. This marked the conclusion of the early voting period ahead of the August 18 primaries.
A Warm Welcome at the Polls
Alina García, the Elections Supervisor for the county, greeted the couple upon their arrival and shared the occasion on social media.
"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette cast their early votes today at the Supervisor of Elections Office. The process was quick and easy," García posted, also urging residents to participate: "Get out and vote, Miami-Dade! Early voting centers are open today until 4 p.m."
Also present was Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernández, who described the moment as a significant civic event.
"It was an honor to join Miami-Dade County Elections Supervisor Alina Garcia in welcoming U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jeanette Rubio to the Miami-Dade Elections Department as they exercised one of our most important rights as Americans: the right to vote," Fernández remarked.
Low Turnout in Initial Voting Phase
Miami-Dade led the charge among South Florida counties by starting early voting for this cycle on August 3, ahead of the mandatory period set by law from August 8 to 15, extending it through Sunday with 23 polling sites available throughout the county.
Despite the early start, voter turnout was disappointingly low during the first week.
According to data shared by García on August 9, only 7% of the 1.6 million registered voters in the county had cast their votes by that point.
"Just 7% of the vote has been cast. We have 1.6 million voters," noted the supervisor, emphasizing that there were no excuses for not participating given the extended hours.
What’s at Stake on August 18
This Tuesday's primaries are among the most crucial in years for the state electoral cycle, partly because Governor Ron DeSantis is barred from seeking reelection due to constitutional term limits, creating an open race for Florida's governorship.
On the Republican ballot for governor are Byron Donalds—a favorite endorsed by former President Donald Trump—Jay Collins, Paul Renner, and James Fishback.
The Democratic ticket features David Jolly and Jerry Demings.
Republican candidates aiming to succeed DeSantis are also vying for the Senate seat vacated by Rubio when he became Secretary of State in January 2025.
Miami voters will also have a say on two referendums: whether to move municipal elections from odd to even years beginning in 2034, and whether to approve a deal with Global Spectrum L.P. to revitalize and operate the Miami Marine Stadium for 40 years, including a $10 million restoration contribution.
The Symbolic Weight of Rubio’s Vote
As the first Hispanic to lead the U.S. Department of State, Rubio, whose parents were Cuban immigrants, assumed office in January 2025.
His participation in the Miami-Dade electoral process carries added significance for the Cuban exile community, which regards voting as a hard-won right not to be taken for granted.
This sentiment was echoed by Juan D'Arce, president of the Spanish American League Against Discrimination (SALAD), during an August 9 press conference:
"Voting is very important. Many of us come from countries where the vote is restricted or non-existent due to dictatorship, and now we have the opportunity to vote freely," D'Arce emphasized.
Key Questions About Miami-Dade Early Voting and Primaries
What was the voter turnout during the early voting period in Miami-Dade?
During the early voting period, only 7% of the 1.6 million registered voters in Miami-Dade had cast their ballots.
Who are the leading candidates in the Florida gubernatorial primaries?
On the Republican side, Byron Donalds, endorsed by Donald Trump, is a leading candidate, while David Jolly and Jerry Demings are prominent on the Democratic ticket.
What referendums are Miami voters deciding on?
Miami voters are deciding on two referendums: changing the municipal election cycle and a deal to revitalize the Miami Marine Stadium.