Early voting opened Monday, Oct. 19, across Miami-Dade County for the Nov. 3 general election. City of Miami voters will also decide a Virginia Key marina lease referendum; Key Biscayne residents cannot vote on that city measure.

Polls are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1, at sites countywide, according to the Miami-Dade elections office. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting options near Key Biscayne include the Coral Gables Branch Library at 3443 Segovia St. and the Historic Garage at 3250 S. Miami Ave.

Voters should bring current, valid identification with a photo and signature, Local 10 reported.

Virginia Key Referendum 3

City of Miami Referendum 3 asks voters to approve a 45-year lease of roughly 27.6 acres of public waterfront on Virginia Key to Virginia Key LLC, a joint venture of RCI Group and Suntex Marinas. The lease includes two 15-year renewal options, stretching the deal to as long as 75 years.

The developer would spend an estimated $80 million to replace the existing Rickenbacker Marina and city-operated Marine Stadium Marina with a single privately run marina, plus restaurants, retail and parking. The city would receive a minimum $2.2 million in annual rent plus 6% of gross revenues, as reported by WLRN.

Key Biscayne residents cannot vote on the measure. Only registered voters in the City of Miami can. But Virginia Key sits at the gateway to the island, and a larger development along the causeway would alter the waterfront environment Key Biscayne shares.

The proposal stems from a bidding process dating back about a decade. Virginia Key LLC sued, and in 2023 Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Alan Fine found the city acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in refusing to put the lease before voters, according to WLRN. An appeals court upheld that ruling in 2025, forcing the commission to place the question on the ballot.

Commissioners voted unanimously in June to send it to voters, though several voiced opposition. Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela called it "a bad deal for the city" at the June 11 meeting, saying the decade-old terms do not reflect current property values, the Miami Herald reported.

Supporters say the redevelopment would modernize the marinas, improve public access and add waterfront amenities. Opponents question the financial terms and the effect on existing waterfront businesses. The developers have said Gramps Getaway would be welcome in the redevelopment, while its owner has questioned whether it could retain its character, according to the Miami Herald.

School tax renewal

Miami-Dade voters will also decide whether to renew the existing one-mill property tax for teacher and instructional personnel compensation, student safety and school security at district and public charter schools. The proposed renewal would run from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. Voters approved the levy in 2018 and renewed it in 2022.

Miami-Dade Superintendent Rafael Villalobos said at a September press conference that losing the tax would be "detrimental," warning the district could lose high-quality teachers, WLRN reported. District officials estimate the system could lose $500 million if the renewal fails. The tax costs homeowners $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

Statewide races

Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are running for governor. The U.S. Senate special election pits appointed Sen. Ashley Moody against Democrat Angie Nixon for the seat previously held by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who resigned in 2025, WSVN reported.

If approved by at least 60% of voters, statewide Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for qualifying homeowners on non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The increased exemption would not apply to school district property taxes. The amendment and the school-tax renewal are separate ballot questions.

Voters can check their registration at the Florida Division of Elections website or by calling 1-866-308-6739.