Fact Check: Miami postpones elections to 2026, extending officials' terms without voter approval!

Fact Check: "Miami postpones elections to 2026, extending officials' terms without voter approval!"

What We Know

On a recent vote, the Miami City Commission decided to postpone the city's elections originally scheduled for November 2025 to November 2026. This decision was made with a narrow 3-2 vote, effectively extending the terms of current officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo, both of whom are term-limited. Critics of the decision, including mayoral candidate Emilio González, have labeled it a "power grab" that disenfranchises voters, as 18 candidates had already filed for the upcoming election (CBS News, Miami Herald).

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis have argued that the city lacks the authority to change the election date without voter approval, citing the city charter which mandates odd-year elections and requires voter consent for amendments (Miami Herald). However, City Attorney George Wysong referenced a precedent from North Miami that allows such changes via commission vote, which was upheld by the Third District Court of Appeals (CBS News).

Analysis

The decision to postpone the elections has sparked significant controversy and debate about its legality and implications for democracy in Miami. Critics argue that extending the terms of elected officials without voter input undermines democratic principles and disenfranchises the electorate. The argument presented by Attorney General Uthmeier and Governor DeSantis highlights a crucial point: the city charter explicitly states that changes to election dates should involve voter approval (Miami Herald).

On the other hand, proponents of the decision, including City Commissioner Damian Pardo, argue that moving elections to even years could increase voter turnout significantly, potentially from 10-15% to 60-65% (Miami Herald). This perspective suggests that the change could be beneficial for civic engagement, although it raises questions about the motivations behind the timing of the decision.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, with major news outlets like CBS News and the Miami Herald providing detailed coverage of the events. However, it is essential to note that the Miami Herald has reported on both sides of the argument, presenting the views of critics and supporters alike, which adds to its credibility (Miami Herald).

Conclusion

The claim that Miami has postponed elections to 2026, thereby extending officials' terms without voter approval, is True. The decision was made by a narrow vote of the City Commission, and while there are arguments regarding the legality of this action, it is clear that the terms of current officials will be extended as a result of this postponement. The controversy surrounding this decision underscores significant concerns about democratic processes and voter disenfranchisement in the city.

Fact Check: Miami postpones elections to 2026, extending officials' terms without voter approval!