HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-25-0134City of Miami
Resolution R-25-0134
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 17334 Final Action Date: 4/10/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO PREPARE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CHARTER") FOR CONSIDERATION AT
THE SPECIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025,
PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO CREATE
SECTION 13 OF THE CHARTER, ENTITLED "REDISTRICTING," TO PROHIBIT
THE DRAWING OF CITY COMMISSION DISTRICTS WITH THE INTENT TO
FAVOR OR DISFAVOR A CANDIDATE OR INCUMBENT, ESTABLISH A
CITIZENS' REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE TO DRAW DISTRICTS AFTER
EACH CENSUS AND WHEN REQUIRED BY LAW, PROVIDE A PROCESS
FOR THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE TO PROPOSE REDISTRICTING
PLANS TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR FINAL ACTION, AND SET
QUALIFICATIONS, DUTIES, TERM OF OFFICE, AND PROCEDURES FOR
APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE
MEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") is divided into City Commission districts to
provide for the fair and effective representation of residents throughout the City's
geographic boundaries; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2022, the Miami City Commission adopted Resolution
R-22-0131, redrawing the City Commission districts following the 2020 Census; and
WHEREAS, subsequent litigation challenged the legality of the adopted
redistricting plans, resulting in a federal court ruling that found the districts were drawn in a
manner violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment; and
WHEREAS, following the court's ruling, the City entered into a settlement
agreement providing for the establishment of a Citizens' Redistricting Committee to
oversee future redistricting efforts with City Commission's final approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission seeks to amend the Charter to enact the purpose
of the settlement agreement by requiring that City Commission district boundaries are
drawn fairly and without bias, explicitly prohibiting any intent to favor or disfavor a
candidate or incumbent, and establishing the Citizens' Redistricting Committee; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to direct the City Attorney to prepare a proposed
amendment to the Charter for consideration at the Referendum Special Election
scheduled to occur simultaneously with the General Election set for November 4, 2025,
proposing, upon approval of the electorate, the creation of Section 13 of the Charter,
entitled "Redistricting," to codify these principles and processes;
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 17334 (Revision:) Printed On: 8/21/2025
File ID: 17334 Enactment Number: R-25-0134
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 fully set forth in this Section and represent findings of
the City Commission.
Section 2. The City Attorney is directed to prepare a proposed amendment to the
Charter for consideration at the Special Election scheduled for November 4, 2025, proposing,
upon approval of the electorate, to create Section 13 of the Charter, entitled "Redistricting," to
prohibit the drawing of City Commission districts with the intent to favor or disfavor a candidate
or incumbent, establish a Citizens' Redistricting Committee to draw districts after each Census
and when required by law, provide a process for the Redistricting Committee to propose
redistricting plans to the City Commission for final action, and set qualifications, duties, term of
office, and procedures for appointment and removal of Redistricting Committee members.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ge Wy ng III, C y ttor -y 3/4/2025
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 17334 (Revision:) Printed on: 8/21/2025