By Joanne Clark
(Source: CNW)
The Miami City Commission voted Tuesday to shift municipal elections to even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal contests. The 3-2 vote advances a proposal that would delay the city’s upcoming November election until 2026, effectively extending the terms of current commissioners — including those facing term limits — without requiring voter approval.
Commissioners Damian Pardo, Christine King, and Ralph Rosado voted in favor of the election date change. Commissioners Miguel Angel Gabela and Joe Carollo opposed the measure. The proposal must pass a second commission vote, scheduled for June 26, to become official.
Commissioner Pardo, who sponsored the item, defended the move as a strategy to combat low voter turnout and save money. “People have said please, we need more voter participation,” Pardo told NBC6 ahead of the vote. “Yesterday’s election, it was 10 percent… [Moving elections to even years] would take us from 10, 15 percent to 65, 70 percent.” He also noted the city could save approximately $1 million per election cycle.
However, the proposal has stirred backlash from state officials. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a legal opinion stating that Miami does not have the authority to unilaterally change its election date without voter input. Governor Ron DeSantis echoed that sentiment, writing on social media that “city of Miami politicians do not have the authority to cancel this year’s elections and extend their terms in office without voter approval.”
In response, Miami City Attorney George Wysong argued that Florida law does permit municipalities to shift election dates via commission vote, citing precedents set by North Miami and Coral Gables. In those cases, North Miami commissioners extended their terms, while Coral Gables commissioners shortened theirs.
Mayor Francis Suarez, who does not have a vote on the commission but holds veto power, also expressed support for the change.
The election delay has already spurred political fallout. Mayoral candidate Michael Hepburn announced he is suspending his campaign to begin a recall effort against Commissioner Pardo, calling the election delay undemocratic.
Separately, the commission also passed a measure Tuesday to impose lifetime term limits for elected officials, capping service at two terms total as either commissioner or mayor—equivalent to a maximum of 16 years in office. That measure also passed by a 3-2 vote, but with a different lineup: Pardo, Rosado, and Gabela voted in favor, while King and Carollo opposed.
