Valerie R. Manno Schurr, a circuit judge in Florida, determined on Monday that Miami cannot delay its municipal elections originally scheduled for this year. This ruling overturns a controversial ordinance passed by the city's Commission, which aimed to push the elections to 2026. The decision followed a lawsuit filed by mayoral candidate Emilio González, joined by Commissioner Joe Carollo, who argued that the move violated both the Florida Constitution and local statutes.
The Miami Commission had approved the election delay in a narrow 3-2 vote on June 26. Proponents of the change argued that syncing municipal elections with presidential and gubernatorial races would boost voter turnout. However, this plan would have extended the terms of current officials, including Mayor Francis Suárez and Commissioners Carollo and Christine King, by an additional year without public voting.
The Need for a Referendum
In her ruling, Judge Manno Schurr made it clear that changing the election date requires direct voter approval. "The exclusive authority under the Florida Constitution and the Miami-Dade Charter mandates a referendum for any amendment to the city's Charter affecting election dates," she stated, as reported by Telemundo 51. The judge also concluded that the ordinance contravened both state and city constitutions. Current laws dictate that any electoral structure changes must be endorsed by voters through a referendum.
Resistance from State Leaders
The proposal faced opposition from various political figures in Florida, including Governor Ron DeSantis and State Attorney General James Uthmeier, who had previously cautioned commissioners against approving the measure. González's lawsuit emphasized that only voters have the authority to approve changes to the election schedule. "The city lacks the power to alter the election date," González asserted, highlighting the violation of the city's Charter, as noted by Univision.
Potential for Appeal
Despite the legal setback, there is a possibility that Miami may pursue an appeal. Commissioner Damián Pardo, a key advocate of the proposal, responded to the ruling with a brief statement. "The city will appeal today's judicial decision, and I will reserve further comments until the matter is fully resolved," he stated, as reported by Telemundo 51. This Monday's ruling halts what many critics saw as an attempt to extend terms without voter consent and sets a significant precedent regarding the legal limits of local electoral power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami's Election Ruling
Why did the Miami Commission want to delay the elections?
The Miami Commission aimed to delay the elections to align them with presidential and gubernatorial contests, hoping to increase voter turnout. However, this would have extended the terms of current officials without a public vote.
What was Judge Manno Schurr's reason for blocking the election delay?
Judge Manno Schurr ruled that changing the election date requires a referendum, as only voters can authorize such amendments under the Florida Constitution and Miami-Dade Charter.
Can Miami appeal the ruling?
Yes, Miami has the option to appeal the decision. Commissioner Damián Pardo indicated that the city plans to appeal the ruling.