HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Summary FormAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM
File ID: #16361
Date: 07/11/2024
Commission Meeting Date: 07/25/2024
Requesting Department: Office of the City
Clerk
Sponsored By:
District Impacted:
Type: Resolution
Subject: Direct the CA — Change Runoff Election to December
Purpose of Item:
Direction to City Attorney to draft a charter amendment question for placement on the
November 5, 2024 Special Election ballot to amend Section 7 of the City Charter to
allow more time for the Miami -Dade Elections Department to better prepare and
conduct a runoff election for City of Miami elections involving the Mayor and City
Commissioners by changing the date of a runoff election from the third Tuesday after
the first Monday in November to the second Tuesday in December, in odd -numbered
years.
Background of Item:
On April 17, 2024, the Miami -Dade County Supervisor of Elections sent a letter to the
City Clerk requesting that the City of Miami provide a minimum of four weeks between
the regularly scheduled General and Runoff elections for Mayor and City Commissioner.
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.
With new State of Florida election laws and subsequent procedural changes, it has
become a tremendous challenge for the Miami -Dade 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.
The Miami -Dade County Supervisor of Elections is strongly urging 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 runoff election.
Budget Impact Analysis
Total Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Office of the City Clerk
Legislative Division
Office of the City Attorney
Office of Management and Budget
Office of the City Attorney
City Commission
Legislative Division
Office of the City Attorney
Office of the City Attorney
Office of the City Clerk
Reviewed B
Todd B. Hannon
Valentin J Alvarez
Jihan Soliman
Marie Gouin
George K. Wysong III
Maricarmen Lopez
Valentin J Alvarez
Jihan Soliman
George K. Wysong III
City Clerk's Office
Department Head Review
Legislative Division Review
ACA Review
Budget Review
Approved Form and Correctness
Meeting
Legislative Division Review
ACA Review
Approved Form and Correctness
Rendered
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
with Modification(s)
Completed
07/12/2024 5:38 PM
07/16/2024 7:49 AM
07/16/2024 11:37 AM
07/16/2024 12:48 PM
07/16/2024 6:53 PM
07/25/2024 9:00 AM
07/31/2024 9:42 AM
09/05/2024 4:32 PM
Completed
10/03/2024 7:42 AM
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-24-0305
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;
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 II1C1ty ttor7ey J 7/16/2024
Pursuant to the resolution, this item became effective immediately upon adoption by the Commission.