Miami commissioners postpone municipal election to 2026 following Florida AG’s legal threat

MIAMI – Miami city commissioners voted Thursday to cancel this year’s municipal election and postpone it until 2026, approving a controversial ordinance to move city elections to even-numbered years — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Florida’s attorney general and community advocates who say the change unlawfully extends officials’ terms without voter input.

The 3-2 vote, which finalizes a plan sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo, delays the city’s next scheduled election from November 2025 to November 2026 and extends the terms of sitting commissioners and the mayor by one year.

While proponents said the shift would streamline the voting process and engage more residents, opponents argued it would allow some term-limited officials — including the mayor — to stay in office longer without a public vote.

Supporters say the shift aligns local races with state and federal elections to boost voter turnout, but critics argue the process circumvents the law and robs residents of the right to decide.

In a blistering letter posted to the platform ‘X’ Wednesday, Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier blasted the City of Miami for an ordinance it is considering that would move its elections to even years to align with state and federal elections.

“You should immediately cease the process of enacting the ordinance to move the date,” the letter read in part. “The citizens of Miami deserve—and are entitled to—the right to make this decision, directly.”

Proponents have said the change could help with voter turnout, while critics have argued it allows some of the term-limited elected officials, like the mayor, to stay in office for an additional year without voter approval.

Uthmeier said that in his view, moving an election date without a public vote is “unconstitutional.”

“Home to thousands of patriotic Cuban Americans who know better than most about regimes that cavalierly delay elections and prolong their terms in power,” wrote Uthmeier. “The City of Miami owes to its citizens what the law requires.”

Arguing the ordinance, which passed its first reading on a 3-2 vote, violated the county charter and state Constitution, Uthmeier stated “no statute authorizes or could authorize the proposed ordinance, which would amend provisions of the municipal charter pertaining to election dates and terms of office without a vote of the people.”

Pardo said the ordinance would amend city code “to change the date of the general election from November 4, 2025 to November 3, 2026 and to change the date of all subsequent elections; providing for the extension of existing terms of office,” adding it would have an immediate effective date."

The ordinance passed on its first reading on June 17, with Christine King (District 5), Pardo (District 2), and Ralph “Rafael” Rosado (District 4) voting for it and Joe Carollo (District 3), and Miguel Angel Gabela (District 1) voting against it.

Uthmeier, in his letter, argues that even the city’s “own charter obligates it to follow the procedures outlined” in the county charter “requiring a vote of the electors.”

One of the many speakers on this issue at Miami City Hall Thursday morning included Rebecca Pelham, Executive Director of Engage Miami.

While conceptually agreeing with the idea of moving municipal elections to even years to boost voter turnout, she does question why the city would try to take this action now.

She also pointed to a related citizens petition underway. Pelham said the “Stronger Miami” campaign has already collected “almost 5,000 petitions.”

Former Miami commissioner and current mayoral candidate Ken Russell was critical of the move, saying it appeared to benefit current commissioners more than the public.

“There is an emoluments clause in our Charter that precludes any Commissioner from voting to enrich themselves. If they are going to take an extra year they should forego the $100,000 salary they are giving each other,” said Russell.

“Voters are sick of self serving politicians. Whether it’s this year or next, the voters are ready to elect new leadership as soon as possible,” he added.