Miami’s upcoming November election has been scrapped and not without backlash. The Miami City Commission voted 3-2 on June 26 to postpone the city’s 2025 municipal election until 2026.
The reason? Officials say they want to shift local elections to even-numbered years to align with federal races, claiming the change will boost voter turnout and save money.
But critics aren’t buying it. Opponents argue that the real motivation behind the decision is far more self-serving, essentially allowing current officeholders, including Mayor Francis Suarez and commissioners, to extend their terms by a full year without a single vote being cast.
What’s more, both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier warned the city in advance that making this kind of change without a public referendum would be illegal.
Now, the backlash has escalated into legal action.
On Monday, mayoral candidate Emilio González filed a 41-page lawsuit challenging the commission’s vote, calling it a blatant violation of the Florida Constitution, the Miami-Dade County Charter, and the city’s own charter.
“Disenfranchising voters undermines our democracy and robs citizens of their voice at the ballot box,” said González, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former Miami city manager. “This isn’t a campaign publicity stunt. I’m filing this as a voter.”
The lawsuit doesn’t hold back, comparing the commission’s actions to authoritarian tactics seen in places like Venezuela and Cuba—nations from which many Miami residents have fled in search of more democratic governance.
González also emphasized that he’s never sued anyone before, but felt compelled to take action after what he described as “nonsensical, bogus justifications” from city officials.
While city attorney George Wysong has defended the decision as legal and within the city’s power, the lawsuit—and growing public criticism—may force a legal reckoning. Mayor Suarez has until July 6 to issue a veto, but reports suggest he quietly supported the change all along.
Other mayoral candidates, including former Commissioner Ken Russell, have also condemned the vote.
“Miami voters want new leadership in the city,” said Russell. “For them, these elections cannot come soon enough. Commissioners enriching themselves and violating their own term limits erodes voter trust.”
As it stands, the next chapter in Miami’s election saga may be decided in court, not at the ballot box.
