Mayor Francis Suarez, Commission Chair Christine King and Commissioner Joe Carollo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA AND FACEBOOK

By David L. Snelling

Miami- The city of Miami is prohibited from postponing the 2025 election until next year after a court ruled the move without voter approval was unconstitutional. Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Valerie Manno Schurr decided against Miami’s election reform to draw a bigger voter turnout and save taxpayers money by switching elections to even years in alignment with national voting schedules.

City commissioners’ 3-2 vote on June 26 also extended the terms of Mayor Francis Suarez, Commission Chair Christine King and Commissioner Carollo by one year.

Suarez and Carollo are term limited in 2025.

In her legal opinion, Schurr said only voters can approve switching the election, despite Miami City Attorney George Wysong’s argument that other cities changed their election years through an ordinance.

Wysong’s legal opinion reflects the city of North Miami’s election switch from 2023 to 2024, which also aimed for a bigger voter turnout without residents’ approval.

The switch drew legal challenges, but the court sided with the city.

Schurr restored the November 2025 election in which 11 candidates for mayor and two commission seats had already filed to run before commissioners voted to delay it until 2026.

Mayoral candidate and former Miami city manager Emilio Gonzalez filed the lawsuit, calling the commissioners’ vote unlawful and invalid.

“This is not just a victory for me, it is a triumph for all voters in the City of Miami and across Miami-Dade County who believe in upholding our charter and the rule of law,” Gonzalez said. “Local governments, like all citizens, must respect the rule of law, stay within the limits of their authority, and honor the foundations of our democratic republic, where power rests with the people.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, also running for Miami mayor, applauded the judge’s decision.

“Today’s court decision is a clear victory for democracy and for every Miami resident who believes elections should be decided by the people, not politicians. I’ve said from the start: moving elections must be done the right way, through a transparent process and with voter approval,” she said.

Also running for mayor are former Miami commissioner Ken Russell and former mayor Xavier Suarez, the father of Francis Suarez.

City Commissioner Damian Pardo, who sponsored the election reform ordinance, said the city is planning to appeal the judge’s decision.

“While we respectfully disagree with the trial court’s decision, we are confident in the strength of our case and remain optimistic about the outcome on appeal,” he said. “We will reserve further comment until the matter is fully resolved.”

Commissioners voted for the election switch despite a legal opinion from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier that proceeding without voter approval was unconstitutional.

He told reporters the judge made the right decision.

Though changing election year would extend his term in office, Carollo said only voters should be allowed to move the election.

“I believe what the attorney general says, it’s illegal and I voted against the move,” Carollo told reporters after the meeting.