Residents of Miami-Dade will vote on November 3rd on seven local referendums that could change the county's government rules, the compensation of its commissioners, the conditions for running for public office, and advertising in the parks.
They will also decide whether to maintain for another four years a tax intended to fund salaries for educational staff and school security.
The proposals will appear on the ballots of voters in the county, including residents of Hialeah, Doral, and Westchester.
Six questions correspond to amendments to the Miami-Dade Home Rule Charter, and the seventh is a referendum from the School Board.
According to a report by Diario Las Américas, each proposal will be voted on separately.
Some primarily affect the functioning of local institutions, while others could have direct consequences for homeowners, public schools, and park users.
Among the most relevant issues are the possibility of an independent panel determining the salaries of the commissioners, currently set at $6,000 per year, and the renewal of a tax on properties that funds salary increases and security measures in schools.
These are the seven questions, what each one proposes, and what it means to vote "Yes" or "No."
1. Salary of the commissioners: who will decide how much they earn?
The first proposal aims to create an independent commission of five members responsible for establishing and annually reviewing the salaries of the Miami-Dade commissioners.
Currently, the commissioners receive a fixed salary of $6,000 annually. The amendment would allow an external panel to determine a new compensation taking into account the responsibilities of the position, salaries in comparable jurisdictions, inflation, benefits, and the financial situation of the county.
The members of that commission would be appointed through the procedure outlined in the proposal, with participation from various authorities and institutions. The panel’s salary decisions would be final and could not be altered by the Board of Commissioners itself.
The measure does not establish a specific salary. However, it sets a limit tied to the state salary formula, which for the period 2026-2027 amounts to approximately $127,779 annually for counties with more than one million residents.
That amount is a reference cap for that period, not the salary that the commissioners would automatically receive if the amendment is approved.
If the "Yes" wins: an independent commission will be established with the authority to set and review the salaries of the commissioners, within the specified limits.
If the "No" wins: that mechanism will not be created and the current provisions regarding remuneration will remain in effect.
Those who support the measure believe that a higher salary could make it easier for people with lower incomes to access the position.
Among the concerns is that the proposal does not require exclusive dedication nor does it prevent engaging in other professional activities.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 256; No, 257.
2. Residence of the candidates: from six months to one year
The second amendment proposes to extend the minimum residency period required for those wishing to run as candidates for county commissioners.
Currently, applicants must have lived in the corresponding district for at least six months. The proposal would raise that requirement to one year prior to the start of the application registration period.
If the "Yes" wins: the candidates must demonstrate at least one year of residency in the district they aim to represent.
If the "No" wins: the current requirement of six months will remain in effect.
The change aims to strengthen the connection between candidates and their communities, although it could also limit the participation of individuals who have recently moved.
The Charter Review Commission unanimously supported the proposal, and the Board of Commissioners approved putting it to a vote with 11 votes in favor and one against.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 258; No, 259.
3. Mayor and commissioner vacancies: changes in special elections
The third question proposes to amend the rules applicable when a mayor or commissioner leaves their position to run for another public office.
The proposal would allow, under certain circumstances, for special elections to fill those vacancies to coincide with other already scheduled elections, instead of necessarily holding a separate vote.
It also includes changes related to the candidate registration periods.
If the "Yes" wins: the county will be able to coordinate certain special elections with other election dates, according to the conditions set out in the amendment, and implement the new provisions regarding candidate registration.
If the "No" wins: the current rules for filling those vacancies and organizing the corresponding processes will remain in effect.
The proposal does not mean that all special elections can be freely moved to any date. Its scope is limited to the scenarios outlined in the text.
Among the arguments in favor is the potential to reduce electoral costs and facilitate participation. One concern is that coordinating dates could, in certain circumstances, extend the period during which a community remains without an elected representative.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 260; No, 261.
4. Sheriff, tax collector, and other constitutional offices: updating functions
The fourth proposal aims to adjust the County Charter to the existence of four constitutional offices whose holders are elected by voters: the sheriff, the tax collector, the property appraiser, and the elections supervisor.
The amendment also includes adjustments related to the administrative and budgetary responsibilities of the court secretary and the county government.
Another of its provisions states that county employees seeking certain constitutional positions must apply for a leave of absence or permission.
If the "Yes" wins: the Charter will be updated to reflect the functions of these offices, and the provisions regarding institutional responsibilities and candidate employees will be incorporated.
If the "No" wins: those amendments to the Charter will not be approved.
It is important to clarify that rejecting the proposal would not eliminate the constitutional offices, because their existence does not depend on the approval of this referendum.
The available information regarding the question does not specify whether the leave required for employees would be paid or its exact duration.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 262; No, 263.
5. Technical changes: names, public notices, and citizen participation
The fifth amendment includes several administrative and drafting modifications to the County Charter.
Among them are updates of names, adjustments in numbering, and provisions related to public notification mechanisms and citizen participation.
The proposal would allow the use of other methods of communication and public notice when authorized by Florida laws.
If the "Yes" wins: updates will be incorporated, and the notification mechanisms provided by state legislation will be available for use.
If the "No" wins: the current text of the Charter will remain in effect, without the proposed modifications.
Although many of the changes are technical, the regulations regarding public notices are important because they determine how residents receive information about meetings, official decisions, and opportunities for participation.
The proposal does not, on its own, establish an exhaustive list of all the media that could be used subsequently.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 264; No, 265.
6. Advertising in parks: Will more commercial ads be allowed?
The sixth question proposes to expand the possibilities of placing commercial advertising in certain parks protected by Article 7 of the County Charter.
Currently, authorized advertisements are primarily linked to event or facility sponsorship. The proposal would eliminate that condition to allow for other advertising modalities.
However, it sets restrictions: the advertisements must not harm the parks or unreasonably interfere with their public use.
Furthermore, the revenue generated from advertising would have to be allocated exclusively to the park system.
If the "Yes" wins: advertising that is not necessarily related to events or sponsorships will be allowed, as long as it meets the established conditions.
If the "No" wins: the current restrictions on advertising in those spaces will remain in effect.
Advocates believe that the measure could generate additional revenue for the maintenance and improvement of parks. Concerns focus on the potential visual impact of the advertisements and the lack of more detailed limits on their quantity or location.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 266; No, 267.
7. School tax: Will the levy on properties be renewed until 2031?
The seventh question is different from the previous ones. It does not amend the County Charter, but rather asks voters to renew an existing tax to fund salaries for educational staff and security in the public schools of Miami-Dade, including charter schools.
The School Board proposes to maintain a levy of one mill, known in Spanish as una milésima, on the taxable value of properties.
The renewal would cover the period from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2031.
This tax is not new. Voters had already approved a school levy in 2018, and subsequently, in 2022, they authorized raising it from 0.75 to one mill.
According to the distribution presented by the school district, 88% of the funds are allocated to improving the salaries of teachers and other educational staff, while 12% is used for school security measures.
If the "Yes" wins: the continuation of the tax will be authorized for the period 2027-2031, for the established educational purposes and the planned supervision. Its approval alone does not guarantee that all programs or salary levels will remain unchanged.
If the "No" wins: the renewal of the levy for that period will not be authorized. The school district would have to deal with the loss of that source of income through the appropriate budgetary decisions.
The measure has the support of school leaders and representatives from the education sector, who consider these resources important for attracting and retaining teachers and maintaining security measures.
On the other hand, the debate also includes the cost that the tax represents for property owners and the possibility of financing those needs through other budget allocations.
Numbers on the ballot: Yes, 268; No, 269.
How much does the school tax represent for a homeowner?
A mill means 1 dollar per year for every 1,000 dollars of the taxable value of a property.
The taxable value is not necessarily the market price of the property. It is determined after applying the relevant exemptions and adjustments according to tax regulations.
For example, a property with a taxable value of $200,000 would pay approximately $200 annually for this specific tax. If the taxable value were $300,000, the amount would be $300 per year.
These amounts do not represent the total property tax bill.
Furthermore, since this is a tax that is already in effect, approving the renewal does not automatically mean adding 200 or 300 dollars to what the owner currently pays. The referendum will determine whether to maintain that source of funding for the proposed four years.
Other proposals that will be on the November ballots
The seven referendums in Miami-Dade should not be confused with other electoral matters that will also be put to a vote on November 3.
Among them is the state Amendment 3, related to property tax exemptions, which has sparked differing opinions among political leaders in Miami-Dade.
This amendment is different from the third question of the county referendums, which addresses special elections to fill certain vacancies.
Additionally, residents of the city of Miami will need to vote on a proposal to issue bonds of up to 450 million dollars for projects related to police and fire facilities.
This last one is a municipal vote, so it does not automatically apply to all residents of the county. Voters from Hialeah, Doral, or Westchester, for example, do not vote on a proposal exclusive to the city of Miami simply because they reside in Miami-Dade.
Important dates and how to check the ballot
The general elections will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polling places open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Early voting in Miami-Dade will take place from October 19 to November 1.
Those who wish to vote by mail should keep in mind that the deadline to request a ballot is October 22, at 5:00 p.m., Miami time.
Voters can view the sample ballot for the general elections on November 3 and verify their electoral information through the Miami-Dade Elections Department.
Reviewing the ballot before going to vote allows voters to familiarize themselves with both the seven county questions and the state and local proposals relevant to their residence.
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