Miami voters are left frustrated after a recent effort to change the city’s election schedule failed. A special meeting meant to decide whether to move elections to even-numbered years ended without a quorum. The result is a stalled process and disappointed citizens.
The debate over moving Miami’s elections has been ongoing for months. City commissioners initially voted in June to postpone the 2025 election to 2026 without voter approval. A trial court ruled that decision unconstitutional after mayoral candidate Emilio González sued, a ruling later upheld by an appellate court. The courts made it clear that voters should have a say.
Mayor Francis Suarez called a last-minute special meeting on Friday to put the election schedule change on the November 5 ballot. The proposal aimed to align city elections with general elections. Advocates say this could improve Miami’s low voter turnout and save money by combining local and general elections.
However, only two of the five commissioners attended the meeting. Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela was out of town, Chairwoman Christine King was unwell, and Commissioner Joe Carollo had a prior family commitment. Without three members, the meeting could not reach a quorum.
Commissioner Damian Pardo, who led the push for the election change, expressed disappointment at the lack of attendance. While the absent commissioners may have had valid reasons, the outcome means voters lose their chance to weigh in on when their elections are held.
Opposition to the change includes concerns that city candidates might get overshadowed by state and national races if elections are moved. Still, the failure to act leaves Miami residents without a voice in the process. The city could hold a special election, but this would be costly, and the expense would fall on taxpayers.
Voter engagement in Miami has long been a concern. Advocates for the schedule change believe that aligning local elections with general elections could help improve participation. Current voter turnout is low, reflecting a broader issue with civic engagement in the city.
The missed quorum is another sign of challenges within the Miami City Commission. With only five commissioners, each vote carries significant weight. Some experts argue that expanding the commission could help address such issues in the future.
As of now, Miami voters will cast ballots on November 4 for a new mayor and two city commissioners. What they will not get to decide is when those elections take place. The failure of the commission to act underscores a larger problem with leadership and accountability in local government.
Pardo says he plans to continue advocating for a vote on the issue. He emphasizes that the effort to give citizens a say will continue, though the timeline is uncertain. Until then, the election schedule remains unchanged, and voters are once again sidelined.
This episode reflects a pattern of delays and inaction that frustrates residents and highlights the gap between political decisions and public participation. For Miami, the question remains: will city leaders take elections seriously enough to let voters decide, or will bureaucratic hurdles continue to prevent meaningful change?
