HomeMy WebLinkAboutFR/SR MemorandumCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO :
FROM
Honorable Mayor and Members
Of the City Commission
Priscilla A. Thompson, CMC
City Clerk
DATE:
SUBJECT
REFERENCES:
February 17, 2011
FILE :
Request Supervisor of
Elections to change election
date & qualifying period
ENCLOSURES: (7)
We are in receipt of correspondence from Mr. Lester Sola, Supervisor of Elections of
Miami -Dade County, requesting that we change the date of our General Municipal
Election from November 8, 2011 •to November 1, 2011 and to change the Candidate
Qualifying period from September 9, 2011 through September 24, 2011 to August 26,
2011 through September 10, 2011. (Exhibit A)
The City of Miami Charter (Section 7A) states: "A general municipal election for the
mayor and city commissioners shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November in odd -numbered years," or, this year, November 8, 2011.
The Miami -Dade County Elections Department wishes to facilitate orderly, mutually
cost-effective and coordinated elections in Miami -Dade County's municipalities.
Historically they have asked municipalities for a minimum of two weeks between the
general and run-off elections to accurately program voting machines, print and test -run
the run-off election ballot, and provide sufficient time for processing absentee balloting.
Mr. Sola has suggested that changing the date of the Tuesday, November 8, 2011, City of
Miami General Municipal Election to Tuesday, November 1, 2011, will provide the
Miami -Dade County Supervisor of Elections sufficient time between the General and
Run -Off Elections and additionally will coincide the City's election with the municipal
elections being held by the cities of Hialeah, Homestead and Miami Beach, thus avoiding
a costly stand alone election for the City of Miami.
Below is a summary of the cost.estimates provided by Mr. Sola. (see Exhibits B, C & D)
Estimated Costs for the
November 2011 Elections
General Election
3-Districts
General Election with
Citywide Referendum
Shared
Stand Alone
Shared
Stand Alone
Early Voting (7 Days-6sites
at $2000 per site per day)
$84,000
$84,000
$84,000
$84,000
General Municipal Election
$458,190
$506,940
$700,881
$775,881
Total
$542,190
$590,940
$784,881
$859,881
PAGE 2
2/1G/2011
If a candidate does not receive a majority vote in the General Municipal Election in a
District race, a Runoff Election would then be scheduled. The estimated cost of a
potential Runoff Election is listed below. (see Exhibit C)
Single District
Runoff
Two District
Runoff
Three District
Runoff
Runoff Election Costs
$168,980
$337,960
$506,940
The estimated costs of the Runoff Election would then be added to the estimated costs of
the General Municipal Election.
Estimated Costs for the
November 2011 Elections
General Election
Three -Districts
General Election with
Citywide Referendum
Shared
Stand Alone
Shared
Stand Alone
Single District Runoff
$168,980
$711,170
$759,920
$953,861
$1,028,861
Two District Runoff
$337,960
880,150
$928,900
$1,122,841
$1,197.841
Three District Runoff
$506,940
$1,049,130
$1,097,880
$1,291,821
$1,366,821
Footnote: Estimated costs do not include advertising expenses
From these estimates the City of Miami would realize a cost savings of $48,750 to
$75,000 in moving the General Municipal Election date to November 1, 2011 to
coincide with municipal elections being held by the cities of Hialeah, Homestead and
Miami Beach.
Pursuant to Florida Statute 100.3605(2) — Conduct of municipal elections,--- "(2) The
governing body of a municipality may, by ordinance, change the dates for qualifying and
for the election of members of the governing body of the municipality and provide for the
orderly transition of office resulting from such date changes."
An agenda item to change the date of the general municipal election and to change the
date of the qualifying period is scheduled for Commission consideration on the March 10,
2011 Commission meeting agenda. If desired, Mr. Sola can be in attendance.
Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this discussion item.
PAT:dsd
c. Tony E. Crapp, City Manager
Johnny Martinez, Deputy City Manager
Julie O. Bru, City Attorney
Victoria Mendez, Assistant City Attorney
Zari Watkins, Assistant to the City Manager