🗳️ Miami Beach Democrats Focus on Local Elections, Abortion Access, and LGBTQ+ Visibility

The Miami Beach Democratic Club kicked off the evening with an Hour of Action, during which members contacted over 470 voters to inform them that their vote-by-mail ballots had been sent. A special shout-out goes to Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who personally sent over 100 text messages to ensure his neighbors were informed and ready to vote. This energizing start set the tone for an evening focused on civic engagement, local elections, and advocacy.

🗳️ Getting Ready to Vote

With Election Day quickly approaching, members discussed strategies to boost voter turnout across Miami Beach.

Vote-by-Mail ballots have already been sent!📬 Track your ballot here:👉 Miami-Dade Ballot Tracking

Early Voting runs from October 20 to November 2, with two convenient Miami Beach locations:

• Miami Beach City Hall – 1700 Convention Center Drive

• North Shore Library – 7501 Collins Avenue

Because hours vary by day, voters are urged to confirm times before heading out:

🔗 Miami-Dade Early Voting Schedule

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025, with polls open from 7 AM to 7 PM. You must vote at your polling location. 🔗Polling Locations

The Miami Beach Democratic Club proudly supports these Democrats who reflect the values of inclusion, accountability, and community-driven leadership:

✅ 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒓: 𝑲𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒏 𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒛𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒛

✅ 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 1: 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑬𝒉𝒍𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒉 or 𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒍 𝑪𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒐, 𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒐-𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒔

✅ 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 2: 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒂 𝑫𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒛

✅ 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 3: 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒛

Members emphasized that this election is not just about names on a ballot — it’s about the future of Miami Beach, from protecting residents to ensuring a transparent and inclusive city government.

🩺 Defending Reproductive Rights in Florida

Guest speaker Anna Hochkammer, Executive Director of the Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition, delivered a powerful overview of the evolving landscape of abortion access in Florida.

Anna outlined how the state shifted from relatively broad protections under Roe v. Wade to a 6-week abortion ban following recent court rulings — a policy so restrictive it effectively eliminates access before most women even know they are pregnant.

She warned about the growing threat of fetal personhood legislation, which could criminalize miscarriages and endanger fertility treatments. And while Amendment 4, which sought to enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution, narrowly fell short of passage, Anna reminded members that it demonstrated widespread public support for reproductive freedom.

Her message was clear: reproductive rights are on the ballot, and the fight to restore them begins with education, advocacy, and electing leaders who will stand up for women’s healthcare and freedom.

🏳️‍🌈 Celebrating Diversity Through Film

Luis Rodriguez from the Outshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival spoke about how film and art serve as powerful tools for empathy and understanding.

The festival highlights global LGBTQ+ stories that celebrate visibility and inclusion — something Miami Beach has long stood for. Yet, this mission has taken on new urgency after Governor Ron DeSantis forced the Florida Department of Transportation to rip up Miami Beach’s iconic Art Deco Pride crosswalk, erasing a beloved symbol of acceptance and local pride.

This action underscored why defending representation in our public spaces, culture, and institutions is vital. Luis encouraged residents to support LGBTQ+ arts and activism, reminding the audience that visibility is itself a form of resistance — and celebration.

💙 Building a Stronger Miami Beach

Throughout the evening, one message resonated: change starts locally. From helping neighbors track their ballots to standing up for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ visibility, the Miami Beach Democratic Club continues to lead with purpose and compassion.

As one member noted, “Every conversation counts. Whether we’re talking about voting, abortion rights, or representation, it’s all about making Miami Beach a place where fairness, equality, and community thrive.”

The Club thanks Anna Hochkammer and Luis Rodriguez for their inspiring presentations — and for reminding us that democracy is more than an election; it’s a shared commitment to freedom, dignity, and diversity.

Together, we continue to build a Miami Beach where inclusion and equality shine as brightly as our Art Deco heritage.