The city of Miami’s unilateral decision to suspend its 2025 municipal elections is illegal, a Florida judge ruled Monday.
Writing for Florida’s 11th Circuit, Judge Valerie Manno Schurr determined that the Magic City’s bid to move its previously scheduled November elections to next year (and by default, extend the terms of its current local officeholders) is at odds with the locality’s charter. More specifically, she ruled that any such changes to the city’s municipal election dates must first be approved by Miami voters.
“The court declares that the City of Miami cannot change the dates of municipal elections or terms of offices for the city’s elected officials without amending the City of Miami municipal charter through the process set forth in section 6.03 of the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter, which requires approval by the electorate,” Manno Schurr wrote.
According to The Washington Times, “The city commission had voted 3-2 to move elections from their current odd years to even years, matching them up with federal elections. They decided that meant the current mayor and two commission members, whose terms were set to expire after this year’s election, would get another year in office to match the new schedule.”
The city’s decision to suspend its November contests prompted Miami mayoral candidate Emilio González to file a lawsuit against the locality. He alleged that the “commissioners unconstitutionally bypassed the democratic will of the people in a way that the Florida Constitution, the Miami-Dade Charter, and the City’s Charter expressly prohibit.”
“Reminiscent of regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, or Cuba — the very places so many of Miami’s people come from — those in power, while in power, forced upon those voters what they think is best for elections going forward — and secured for themselves additional time in power, without a vote of the electorate. That cannot stand,” the complaint reads.
City Attorney George Wysong has defended the commissioners’ decision to postpone the city’s local elections, saying last month, “We believe it’s legal and consistent with Florida law.” Wysong’s office released a statement shortly after Monday’s ruling indicating the city’s intent to appeal Manno Schurr’s decision.
The Miami commissioners’ election shenanigans have prompted criticisms from state GOP leaders, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier. The former celebrated Manno Schurr’s ruling in a Monday X post, writing, “Great to see the law and common sense prevail.”
For more election news and updates, visit electionbriefing.com.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood