Overview

• On July 21, Judge Valerie Manno Schurr ruled Miami’s ordinance to delay its November 2025 election until 2026 unconstitutional and restored the original schedule.
• Former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez sued earlier this year, contending that the postponement unlawfully blocked his mayoral bid and extended incumbents’ terms without voter approval.
• The ruling cited Florida’s general law and the Miami-Dade Home Rule Charter requirement that any change to municipal election dates must be approved by the electorate.
• Miami’s City Commission had narrowly voted to align local contests with federal elections, a move the court found bypassed voters’ right to decide through a charter amendment.
• Commissioner Eileen Higgins praised the decision as a win for transparent, voter-driven governance while the city attorney’s office has signaled plans to appeal.