Miami can't postpone its elections to next year, judge rules [View all]
Source: ABC News
July 22, 2025, 4:21 PM
Miami elections could proceed this year as originally planned, after a judge ruled that city officials could not push elections back to 2026 without voter approval.
The ruling comes after the Miami city council voted 3-2, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez signed off, to cancel November's elections and hold them in 2026 instead. They argued the alignment with statewide elections would lower costs and increase turnout. The decision was met with pushback for being done via ordinance rather than a vote from the public.
Suarez and council members faced accusations, including from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, of deciding to extend their own time in office, some beyond legal term limits.
Mayoral candidate Emilio Gonzalez filed a lawsuit on June 30, challenging the decision, calling it "unconstitutional" and a "blatant power grab." Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Valerie R. Manno Schurr ruled in favor of Gonzalez on Monday, saying the city did not have the authority to shift elections without voter approval.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/miami-postpone-elections-year-judge-rules/story?id=123971848
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