Miami’s push to move elections to higher-turnout years has landed the city at another crossroads, as officials tabled a vote last week to shorten Mayor Eileen Higgins’ term and shift her next election to August over concerns it could split local races and depress voter participation. At the Feb. 26 meeting, the Miami City Commission deferred a resolution directing the city attorney to draft a charter amendment that would have moved the next mayoral election from November 2029 to August 2028, shortening Ms. Higgins’ current term from four years to three and aligning future mayoral elections with statewide and countywide contests. Commissioners were divided over whether holding the mayoral race in August, apart from city commission elections, could complicate participation and logistics, leaving the matter unresolved until it is taken up again April 9. Miami has struggled with low turnout in off-year elections, with participation often hovering around 10% to 15%. A push led by Commissioner Damian Pardo starting last year aimed to shift city elections to even-numbered years, boosting participation and cutting costs. In June, the commission approved a measure delaying the city’s 2025 election cycles by one year to shift them to even-numbered years, extending officials’ terms in the process. Courts later ruled that only a voter-approved charter amendment could make the change, setting the stage for the current effort. Supporters argue that aligning city elections with larger contests could raise turnout to more than 70% while saving the city millions of dollars in election costs. In January, the commission voted 4-1 to send a related charter amendment to the Aug. 18 ballot, letting voters decide whether future commission elections shift from odd- to even-numbered years. At the same meeting, Ms. Higgins requested a separate charter amendment for her own office, the focus of last week’s resolution, to shorten her term and move her next election to August 2028. The Feb. 26 debate centered on whether moving the mayoral race to August would undercut the city’s broader push to boost participation in local elections. Mr. Pardo noted that November contests typically see 69% to 70% turnout, while August elections hover around 18% to 20%. “There’s nobody really here in August,” he said, pointing out that city government and residents are often on summer schedules. Ms. Higgins countered that August elections in years with high-profile statewide contests, like this year’s gubernatorial election in November, can still draw strong turnout. She argued that putting the first round in a November general election could overwhelm voters and officials, especially if multiple candidates trigger a runoff. She also emphasized that the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections is required by state law to run countywide elections in even-numbered years, setting up precincts and staffing at no cost to the city. Mr. Pardo acknowledged the mayor’s points but stressed turnout and costs, noting that the city’s recent general election and runoff each drew only about 21% participation and that aligning elections could save roughly $500,000 in city expenses. After discussion, the commission agreed to defer the vote until April 9 to allow more time to review potential impacts on turnout and logistics. The city attorney confirmed that ballot language must be final by May 22 for the charter amendment to appear on the Aug. 18 special election ballot. The post Miami commission kicks forward bid for shorter mayor’s term appeared first on Miami Today. ...read more read less