A lawsuit challenges the Miami City Commission's decision to postpone the November election to 2026. Mayor candidate Emilio González claims the change grants city officials an extra year in power without voter consent. He argues this action bypasses the democratic process as prohibited by the Florida Constitution and local charters. While some city commissioners believe aligning with national elections will increase turnout, critics accuse them of extending their terms for personal gain. Both the Florida governor and attorney general have cautioned against the legality of this change without a voter referendum.
The commissioners unconstitutionally bypassed the democratic will of the people in a way that the Florida Constitution, the Miami-Dade Charter, and the City's Charter expressly prohibit.
Reminiscent of regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, or Cuba - the very places so many of Miami's people come from - those in power, while in power, forced upon those voters what they think is best for elections going forward.
Proponents of the measure... have argued that aligning elections with national races will boost voter turnout and prove a boon for democratic participation.
Attorney General James Uthmeier has already warned that this violates the law, and Governor Ron DeSantis has cautioned the city against changing the election date without first seeking voter consent.
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