A Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the Miami Beach City Commission's decision to rescind a ballot referendum proposing a 1% tax on food and beverage sales to support homeless and domestic violence services, despite over 20,000 votes already cast. The decision, driven by concerns over tax revenue allocation to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, has sparked accusations of voter suppression and legal challenges from local residents. While plaintiffs sought an injunction to nullify the commission's decision, the judge found no irreparable harm and suggested the issue could be revisited in a future election. The commission's 4-3 vote to scrap Referendum 8 has been criticized as undemocratic, with concerns about the lack of transparency and potential negative impacts on local businesses. Notices will inform voters that the referendum's outcome will not be counted, raising questions about electoral integrity and governance. The controversy highlights the tension between fiscal oversight and community needs in Miami Beach's political landscape.