MIAMI — Miami voters have a decision to make on Aug. 18 that is limited to elections in the city.
The Florida primary ballot includes Miami Referendum 1: “Charter Amendment to Move the City Elections from Odd-Numbered to Even-Numbered Years.”
The question for voters: “Shall the City Charter be amended to change the General and Runoff Elections from odd-numbered years to evennumbered years commencing in the years 2034 and 2036, and every four years thereafter, so the General Election is concurrent with any statewide or countywide election; modify the qualification period and clarify that the terms of office of those elected in the years 2031 and 2033 shall be reduced to 3 years due to said change?”
Charles Zelden is a political science professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.
“The people who run the elections for the parties have decided that they are better off if they bring in all the voters as opposed to some of the voters,” Zelden said about the reason behind the referendum.
A majority is required to adopt the measure. Zelden said the odd-year elections could favor a candidate.
“An odd year election allows you to be the big dog, the one that everyone is focused on,” Zelden said. “But, only a small percentage of the voters will be actually focusing.”
Zelden said he suspects the majority of voters will vote in favor of even-year elections.
“Voters will say, ‘Well, that makes sense! Why aren’t we voting that way already,’” Zelden said.
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