It's Election Day in Miami. Here are the races to watch and how to vote
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Miami-Dade election workers check voting machines for accuracy. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
It's Election Day, the perfect excuse to take a long lunch and vote for your next elected leaders.
Why it matters: Today Miami-Dade County voters will be electing a mayor, county commissioners and school board members and deciding a referendum on whether to expand rapid mass transit.
What to know: If you haven't voted yet, polls will be open from 7am-7pm.
Here's a quick rundown on the races we're watching
Mayor
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is running for re-election against five challengers, including one who is currently suing her.
- While technically a nonpartisan race, the Democratic incumbent is up against five registered Republicans and one independent.
- The other candidates are Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, former Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, social media personality Alex Otaola, political analyst Carlos Garín, artist Miguel Quintero and business owner Eddy Rojas.
- Danzinger filed a lawsuit against Levine Cava Monday alleging that she improperly appears at the top of the mayoral ticket despite her two last names.
County Commission
- In District 3, which stretches from Miami Shores to Overtown, Commissioner Keon Hardemon is running for re-election against former long-time Commissioner Audrey Edmonson and businessman Marion Brown.
- In District 7, which includes Coral Gables and Kendall, Commissioner Raquel Regalado is running against former Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner and Miami-Dade Public Schools Police officer Richard Prashnik.
- In District 11, which goes from Westchester to Miami International Airport, Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez is facing his first election against teacher Bryan Paz-Hernandez and teacher Claudia Rainville. (Gonzalez was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 after Joe Martinez's arrest)
Sheriff
- Miami's new sheriff — a position that hasn't existed here for nearly 60 years — will oversee the county's police department.
- The sheriff is one of three new partisan positions on the local ballot, along with tax collector and supervisor of elections, following a 2018 state amendment.
- The Democratic primary pits Miami-Dade Chief of Public Safety James Reyes — who has the backing of his boss, Levine Cava — against Miami-Dade Police Maj. John Barrow, ex-federal agent Susan Khoury and retired Miami-Dade Police Lt. Rickey Mitchell.
- The Republican primary has 11 candidates, including retired Miami-Dade Major Mario Knapp, Miami-Dade Police department assistant director of investigative services Rosie Cordero-Stutz — who has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump — and former Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez.
- The top vote-getters will face off in the November general election.
How to vote
State of play: Precincts are open from 7am to 7pm.
Voting location: During early voting, residents could visit any of the 23 polling locations across the county. That's not the case on Election Day.
- Find your assigned voting location online, check your voter information card or call 305-499-VOTE.
What to bring: Photo identification is required. A list of what's acceptable can be found here.
For more information, review the Miami-Dade voter information guide.