Miami Commissioners Postpone Elections to 2026 Defying Florida AG Warning

Miami city commissioners voted 3-2 to postpone the city’s November 2025 election to 2026 and shift elections to even years, aligning them with presidential and gubernatorial races to potentially increase voter turnout. This move extends current officials' terms by an extra year, including Mayor Francis Suarez and other commissioners, which critics label a power grab. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has strongly opposed the change, calling it unconstitutional without voter approval and warning the city to cease the ordinance or face legal action. Uthmeier emphasized that the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter and Florida Constitution require any change in election dates or terms to be decided by voters, not elected officials alone. Similar election date changes in Coral Gables faced backlash, with some commissioners pushing to repeal shifts made without direct voter input. The dispute highlights tensions between local officials seeking to increase voter participation and state authorities enforcing constitutional election processes.