What a Shame

For over 50 years the Citizens of Marco Island have enjoyed the sanctity and protections provided by our FAIR election process. But unfortunately, as times change and ethics change, the fairness of our elections are subject to unscrupulous tactics and the type of “fairness” that only money can buy. Marco Island is no longer immune to this activity.

A Political Action Committee has been advocating for its constituents to register to vote in Florida as a means to allow the STR Owners to be able to vote on the STR Ordinance coming up on the August Ballot. This would normally not be an issue if the person registering was not registered to vote in another state. Or, if the Florida address provided for residency is not a short-term rental shown publicly as rented or available for rent during the supposed period of residency. Or, if the person registering to vote in Florida actually owns a home in another state that has a Homestead Exemption filed on it.  That exemption will be forfeited if they vote in Florida, as that vote will indicate a change of residency.

Of the 90 new registered voters on the list for July, 20 (twenty) of these voters are homesteaded in other states, show residency in properties that are advertised for rent and/or have been rented on and off for the past four weeks, and/or are registered to vote in other states. No accusations are being made in this Letter to the Editor.

Suffice it to say that the Citizens of Marco need to know that their election integrity has a watchdog. A group of citizens has done the research and filled out the Florida Form DS-DE-34 for each potential violation. We are sending these forms to Tallahassee for voter fraud investigation. If a person actually votes with fraudulent information, this is a THIRD DEGREE FELONY, punishable by fines and prison time.

Rest assured we are watching out for you.