NewsWLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)October 24, 2026Miami-Dade County
Get-Out-the-Vote rallies sprout up around South Florida with early voting underway
Photo: WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)
Candidates from major parties and voter mobilization groups are holding rallies, early vote parties, and mobilization events across South Florida as early voting gets underway for the November 3 election. Republican U.S. Representatives rallied in Miami-Dade to highlight economic policies, while labor unions and advocacy groups targeted congressional records over immigration and safety net spending. Meanwhile, community organizations are organizing 'Souls to the Polls' events to boost turnout amid recent mid-decade redistricting.
Read the full story at WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)Why It Matters
Over 235,000 voters have already cast ballots in Miami-Dade County, where more than 1.3 million registered voters are participating in closely watched congressional races amid debates over federal tax cuts, immigration enforcement funding, and living costs.
Key Facts
- Early voting is underway in South Florida ahead of the November 3 election, with more than 235,000 ballots already cast in Miami-Dade County.
- Miami-Dade County has over 1.3 million registered voters, with approximately 35% registered as Republicans, 32% as Democrats, and 30% with No Party Affiliation.
- U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise held a Republican get-out-the-vote rally at the Westchester Regional Library.
- The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in summer 2025, extended 2017 tax cuts, added new tax cuts, and enacted cuts to Medicaid and food stamps.
- The federal law allocates about $75 billion to ICE over four years, including $45 billion for detention beds and $30 billion to hire 10,000 employees and upgrade facilities.
- UNITE HERE Local 355 and immigrant rights groups hosted an 'Early Vote Party and Bus' targeting U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's congressional voting record.
- UNITE HERE Local 355 union members went door-to-door to 30,000 homes in Florida's 27th congressional district.
- A statewide poll indicates 62% of surveyed Hispanic families feel financially worse off than a year ago, citing high costs of living, rent, gasoline, and health care.
- Equal Ground and partner organizations are organizing 'Souls to the Polls' events and phonebanking to boost Black voter participation.
- Florida undertook a mid-decade partisan redistricting process this year, leaving the state with only one Black-majority district (Florida's 24th).
Who's Mentioned
otherTax Cuts and Jobs Act“2017 federal tax legislation whose cuts were extended.”otherOne Big Beautiful Bill Act“Federal legislation passed in summer 2025 extending tax cuts and funding ICE.”OrganizationUNITE HERE Local 355“Labor union hosting an early vote party and bus in South Florida.”OrganizationMedicaid“State-federal health care program subject to historic cuts in the federal bill.”PersonPresident Trump“Pushed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and a nationwide mid-decade redistricting ”OrganizationFlorida Supreme Court“Ruled to allow unconstitutional congressional maps to stand.”locationFlorida's 27th congressional district“Congressional district including Miami, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and Cutler B”PersonSteve Scalise“House Majority Leader participating in the Miami-Dade rally.”locationFlorida's 24th“The state's only Black-majority district following mid-decade redistricting.”locationFlorida“State where early voting is underway and mid-decade redistricting took place.”OrganizationSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program“Food stamp program subject to historic cuts in the federal bill.”PersonEliott Rodriguez“Former CBS Miami anchor and Democratic candidate competing for Florida's 27th co”PersonMario Diaz-Balart“U.S. Representative participating in the Republican get-out-the-vote rally.”OrganizationLeague of Women Voters Miami-Dade County“Partnering organization for get-out-the-vote efforts.”locationMiami-Dade“Florida county with the most registered voters, exceeding 1.3 million.”OrganizationCongressional Black Caucus Institute“Partnering organization for get-out-the-vote efforts.”OrganizationU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement“Federal agency receiving funding under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”PersonMaria Elvira Salazar“U.S. Representative leading a Republican rally in Miami-Dade and running in Flor”OrganizationWestchester Regional Library“Location of the Republican get-out-the-vote rally in Miami-Dade.”OrganizationNational Black MBA South Florida Chapter“Partnering organization for get-out-the-vote efforts.”PersonCarlos A Gimenez“U.S. Representative participating in the Republican get-out-the-vote rally.”OrganizationFair Election Center Campus Vote Project“Partnering organization for get-out-the-vote efforts.”OrganizationEqual Ground“Statewide group working to boost political power among Black residents.”