Miami election change to 2026, term extensions hinge on Christine King

Whether or not the city of Miami cancels this year’s election, effectively extending the mayor’s and commissioners’ terms by a year, all depends on Commission Chairwoman Christine King.
The first reading of an ordinance to move the Miami city elections from odd to even years, effectively cancelling this year’s election and extending the mayor’s and commissioners’ terms by a year — passed 3-2, with King and Commissioners Ralph Rosado and Damian Pardo voting in favor. Commissioners Joe Carollo and Miguel Gabela voted no.
But King said she was only voting in favor for the first reading, so she has reservations. And, hopefully, enough people have advised her to vote no on the second round.
Read related: Miami Commissioners pass election date change — and steal an extra year
The biggest reason, however, that King’s vote may swing the other way is that, as she likes to remind everyone at almost every meeting, she is an attorney. So, she knows this action is going to be challenged. Perhaps even by the state.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Wednesday doubled down on his opinion that the city could not move the elections year without first going to the voters for approval. He says the city charter, and the Miami-Dade County charter, supersede the state law that City Attorney George Wysong has relied on.
“The State will not tolerate such an unconstitutional deviation,” Uthmeier wrote in a letter to Mayor Francis Suarez and the commission. “You should immediately cease the process of enacting the ordinance to move the date of municipal elections and change the terms of office for elected officials in the City of Miami. The citizens of Miami deserve — and are entitled to — the right to make this decision, directly.”
He cited the city charter, which says the election is in odd years, and the county’s Home Rule Charter, which requires the 37 municipalities in Miami-Dade to take any major charter change to the voters.
It seems logical. From what Ladra has known from decades covering government, local rules can be stricter than state rules but not looser. And then municipalities have to follow those stricter rules.
Uthmeier says there will be “consequences” and has threatened to “consider taking all available options.” The state is not the only one who has threatened to sue. Several would-be candidates for mayor and commission — including former Commissioner Ken Russell, former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez, mayoral candidate Michael Hepburn and Little Havana activist Denise Galvez Turros, who is running for commission in District 3 — have also threatened to take legal action.
Many of them and other critics have called this nothing but a power grab.
Read related: Miami lifetime term limits, election year change intertwined, like bait & switch
“If Commissioner Pardo were truly serious about reform, he’d be fighting to expand representation, not restrict it,” said Downtown Neighbors Association President James Torres, a onetime commission candidate in District 2 and frequent critic of Pardo’s.
“One of the most impactful proposals raised in recent months — is to increase the number of City Commission districts from five to nine. Miami has nearly half a million residents — yet only five commissioners. Many cities of similar or even smaller size have nearly twice as many districts, giving neighborhoods a stronger voice and better access to their government. It’s time we caught up,” Torres said.
“When you expand districts, you bring government closer to the people. You make sure that places like Downtown and Brickell — vibrant neighborhoods with growing populations — finally have a seat at the table. That’s how you empower voters. That’s how you strengthen democracy. Not with bans. Not with backroom extensions. But by making sure every corner of this city has a voice.”
There is currently a petition being circulated to put expanded districts on the ballot (more on that later).
Uthmeier also posted his letter on X, the platform formerly known as twitter. “Home to thousands of patriotic Cuban Americans who know better than most about regimes that cavalierly delay elections and prolong their terms in power, the City of Miami owes to its citizens what the law requires,” Uthmeier wrote.
In light of Uthmeier’s strong words, it is possible that Commissioner Rosado, who voted in favor of the outright change — giving himself five years instead of four in his first term — goes back also and decides to take it to the voters, instead.
But King, the attorney who is always trying to avoid legal battles, knows that this is one giant lawsuit waiting to happen and will most likely switch her vote based on that. It gives her cover.
The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, and can also be watched live online at the city’s website and on YouTube.
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