Miami Court Hears Lawsuit Over Mayoral Election Postponement

Miami city commissioners voted to postpone the upcoming mayoral election from November 2025 to the following year, aiming to align it with larger state and local elections to increase voter turnout and save costs. This decision has sparked a lawsuit filed by mayoral candidate Emilio Gonzalez, who contends that only voters can amend the city charter and move election dates through a ballot referendum, thus challenging the legality and constitutionality of the postponement. Commissioner Joe Carollo joined the lawsuit, labeling the election delay a 'power grab' that unlawfully extends the current officeholders' terms by an additional year. The city argues that Florida law permits the election change and that the city charter remains unaffected. A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge heard the initial arguments and is considering a prior ruling from North Miami that allowed a similar election postponement. Regardless of the lawsuit's outcome, the November ballot will still include other voter issues such as term limits and redistricting.