MIAMI — Miami’s November election will indeed take place this year.
A judge has decided in favor of mayoral candidate Emilio Gonzalez’s lawsuit against the city after commissioners agreed to push this November’s planned election to 2026.
Judge Valerie Manno Schurr said the ordinance was impermissible for two reasons.
She said that “general law” statutes do not allow the city to enact such an ordinance, and that it conflicts with the Miami-Dade County Charter.
Miami commissioners voted 3-2 to pass the ordinance last month.
Commissioner Damian Pardo was the item’s sponsor, and said the move to switch to even-year elections was necessary to increase turnout and save money.
Critics, however, saw it as a power grab.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a statement Monday afternoon that he was thrilled that the court agreed with their legal opinion that the attempt to move back the election was unconstitutional without voter approval.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also responded, saying it was “great to see law and common sense prevail.”
Following the ruling, Pardo released a statement, which read:
“While we respectfully disagree with the trial court’s decision, we are confident in the strength of our case and remain optimistic about the outcome on appeal. We will reserve further comment until the matter is fully resolved.”
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