Early voting is underway across Miami, and with the mayoral race heating up, The Miami Times has released its official Mayoral Candidate Report Card, grading contenders on their qualifications, policy vision, and commitment to Miami’s Black community.
According to The Miami Times Voter Guide, early voting runs October 25–26 and November 1–2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and October 27–31 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballots at any designated early voting location within the City of Miami ahead of Election Day.
The Times awarded top marks to Eileen Higgins (A–) for her community outreach and affordable housing initiatives, followed by Ken Russell (B) and Michael Hepburn (B–). Candidates Xavier Suarez (C+), James DeSantis (C), and June E. Savage (D–) received lower marks, while several others, including Joe Carollo and Alex Díaz de la Portilla, declined to participate in the evaluation.
Beyond the candidates, this election underscores the growing importance of early voting in Florida. According to the Secure Democracy Foundation, 88% of Florida voters support having multiple ways to vote, and 87% favor in-person early voting, citing convenience and accessibility.
In the 2024 general election, Florida recorded more than 8.1 million ballots cast before Election Day, with over 5.3 million in-person early votes, according to Caribbean National Weekly. Experts say that access to early voting “adds convenience and helps boost turnout,” especially among younger and working-class voters who may face scheduling barriers.
A Greenville.com report found that over 142,000 Floridians voted early on college campuses in 2024, including more than 35,000 in Miami-Dade County, highlighting the growing role of youth participation in local democracy.
Both parties in Florida see the competitive advantage and overall benefits of early voting options.
In 2024, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said her party is focused on boosting early participation: “Over the next 15 days … we are working around the clock to get voters to the polls.”
Florida GOP Chair Evan Power stated to WLRN: “So, they (Republicans) want to vote in person, but they want to get their vote in early … we’re headed in that direction.”
Residents are encouraged to check their polling locations, review their ballots in advance, and make their voices count before Election Day. For more information, click here.
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