Coral Gables special election on voting dates divides city

• The April 21 referendum will be conducted exclusively by mail.

Zoom in: Referendum No. 1 asks if the charter should be amended to move the city's general election from April of each odd year to "the date of the national election in November of each even year," beginning this year.

• The question says the move would reduce current elected officials' terms by about four months, "with the intention of increasing voter turnout and decreasing costs of the general election."

Referendum No. 2 locks in the change by preventing future commissions from changing election dates through an ordinance. Any such change would require voter approval.

What they're saying: "The majority of our neighbors play no role in choosing their local leadership. November elections change that drastically," Mayor Vince Lago wrote in an opinion piece published on Substack last week.

• The city's 2021 and 2025 elections drew about 10,000 ballots but represented less than 30% of registered voters, he wrote.
• Lago also cited costs: The city's general election in April costs about $125,000, he wrote, whereas a November election would run about $20,000.

"Every dollar not spent on a standalone election is a dollar that stays in the city budget serving residents," Lago wrote.

The other side: While the date change would draw more voters, many "won't bother to get to Coral Gables' elections" on a ballot with the president, senators, judges and other county issues, Sue Kawalerski, who leads the Coral Gables Neighborhood Association, told Axios.

• She argues residents may not have the time to research all options before voting in that scenario and will likely choose city leaders based on name recognition, rather than the city's best interests.

"We want everyone to vote," said Kawalerski, who is urging voters to reject all of this election's referendum questions. "We don't want people to vote blindly."

Catch up quick: City of Miami officials earlier this year voted to begin the process of moving city elections from odd years to even years in 2032, after failing to do so last year.

• Commissioners had tried to do so sooner, by canceling last November's election without a referendum, but lost a legal challenge.
• Earlier this month, Surfside voters approved a measure to move elections from March to November, beginning in 2028.

Between the lines: The Coral Gables commission voted last year to change election dates, but opted instead for a special election amid Miami's legal fight over sidestepping voters, the Miami Herald reported.

• Lago was among the votes in favor of the change.

Zoom out: Voters will also face six additional ballot questions.

• Coral Gables First, a local advocacy group backing the amendments, says these changes "strengthen accountability, protect taxpayers and modernize how government works."
• Meanwhile, Kawalerski said the wording on many of these questions is "ripe for abuse" and "intended to ensure that [opposition] voices are suppressed or muted."

Here's an overview of the ballot questions. For a deeper dive, read the Miami Herald's rundown.

Referendum 3 gives city commissioners and charter officers the ability to remove appointed committee members without a vote.

Referendum 4 requires a Charter Review Committee to meet every 10 years and that the number of committee members increase from five to seven.

Referendum 5 authorizes the commission to contract with Miami-Dade County or a private entity for inspector general services.

Referendum 6 addresses elected officials' compensation. Any raises outside of the standard cost-of-living adjustment would require voter approval.

Referendum 7 eliminates the city's runoff provision. Candidates who earn a plurality vote would win, regardless of whether a majority is reached.

Referendum 8 requires the city to maintain its general fund reserve at 25% of its operating budget. Any changes to the policy would require a supermajority vote.