HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-24-0305City of Miami
Resolution R-24-0305
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 16361 Final Action Date: 7/25/2024
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"), FOR
CONSIDERATION AT A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5,
2024, PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO AMEND
SECTION 7 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "ELECTION OF CITY
COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR" TO CHANGE THE DATE OF A RUNOFF
ELECTION FOR MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONER FROM THE THIRD
TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER TO THE SECOND
TUESDAY IN DECEMBER, IN ODD -NUMBERED YEARS; PROVIDING FOR AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") was incorporated by the Florida Legislature in
1896 and operates pursuant to the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida ("Charter"); and
WHEREAS, the Charter has been amended from time to time as the governance of the
City has evolved; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami, City of Hialeah, and City of Miami Beach all conduct their
general municipal election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd -
numbered years, with a runoff election being held on the third Tuesday after the first Monday in
November in odd -numbered years, essentially providing only two weeks between a general
municipal election and runoff election; and
WHEREAS, with new State of Florida election laws and subsequent procedural
changes, it has become a tremendous challenge for the Miami -Dade Elections Department
("Elections Department") to perform the state -mandated procedures within the confines of a two -
week timeframe between elections which in turn is adversely impacting the Elections
Department, voters, and to a certain extent candidates as well; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Dade County Supervisor of Elections strongly urged the City of
Miami, City of Hialeah, and City of Miami Beach to consider holding their general municipal
election and runoff election at least four weeks apart so the Elections Department can
adequately prepare for a City runoff election; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission believes having a City runoff election on the second
Tuesday in December in odd -numbered years is in the best interests of the residents and will
contribute to seamless election preparation and greater voter participation; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to submit the above -mentioned proposed
amendment to the electorate, for approval or disapproval, at the special election to be held on
November 5, 2024;
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 16361 (Revision: A) Printed On: 10/3/2024
File ID: 16361 Enactment Number: R-24-0305
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Attorney is directed to prepare an amendment to the Charter, for
consideration at the special election to be held on November 5, 2024, proposing, upon approval
of the electorate, to amend Section 7 of the Charter, entitled "Election of City Commissioners
and Mayor" to change the date of a runoff election for Mayor and City Commissioner from the
third Tuesday after the first Monday in November to the second Tuesday in December, in odd -
numbered years.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ge Wy j ng III, C!ty tor -y 9/27/2024
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 16361 (Revision: A) Printed on: 10/3/2024