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Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida's property tax referendum

Politics

Miami&#x27;s local elected officials are split on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amendment 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" target="_self">Amendment 3</a>, the ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption and drastically reduce property taxes across the state.Why it matters: If approved by voters, the measure would bring relief to homeowners&#x27; tax bills — but would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost local governments billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" target="_blank">cost local governments billions</a>.<ul><li>Supporters argue the measure would force local governments to tighten spending, while opponents say it will leave them scrambling to maintain necessary services.</li></ul>

Need a date or a friend? Miami social app hopes to spark connections

Stoke is hosting a pilot dating event in Wynwood to test the app.

Dating

A new social app from a South Florida startup hopes to spark real-life connections, whether you&#x27;re looking for a friend or a date.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stoke" data-vars-click-url="https://stokesocial.app/" data-vars-content-id="880da363-ff58-4886-b6b1-61b45e209ee2" data-vars-headline="Need a date or a friend? Miami social app hopes to spark connections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stokesocial.app/" target="_blank">Stoke</a> wants to make it easier for Miami singles to mingle by partnering with bars, coffee shops, gyms and other venues to put users in the same space.

What's going up: Affordable housing, West Grove redevelopment

Development

Here&#x27;s your latest round of development news across Miami-Dade County.

Florida voter registration: Republicans still outpace Democrats

The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida's politics.

Despite recent party gains, Democrats continue to trail Republicans with active registered voters statewide, a new report by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Miami Herald shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317473941.html#storylink=cpy" data-vars-content-id="c251312b-3fa6-4db3-89f3-043675b0747a" data-vars-headline="Florida voter registration: Republicans still outpace Democrats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article317473941.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">the Miami Herald shows</a>.Why it matters: The current tally underscores a years-long trend that has reshaped Florida&#x27;s politics.<ul><li>It could also foreshadow local and statewide race outcomes for next month&#x27;s midterm elections.</li></ul>

Governor candidates debate the issues, but not each other, at forum

The two had different stances on Amendment 3.

Florida&#x27;s gubernatorial candidates&#x27; stances on statewide issues like property taxes, housing and immigration came to a head Wednesday — albeit separately — during an economic forum hosted by WLRN, South Florida&#x27;s public radio station.Why it matters: The candidates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won&#x27;t be debating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/09/20/david-jolly-byron-donalds-florida-debates/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_tampa&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="a0a9319a-7c81-4634-9d3c-1f55c309c16d" data-vars-headline="Governor candidates debate the issues, but not each other, at forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/09/20/david-jolly-byron-donalds-florida-debates/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_tampa&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">won&#x27;t be debating</a> before the November election.

"Souls To The Voter Rolls": Local orgs host registration event

Voter turnout in Miami-Dade County in the August primary was just about 19%.

Election

More than a dozen local organizations are coming together this week for &quot;Souls to the Voter Rolls,&quot; a local effort to ensure people are registered to vote in November&#x27;s election.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Voter turnout" data-vars-click-url="https://tqv.vrswebapps.com/?state=FL&amp;county=DAD&amp;election=913&amp;ShowPrecinctSplits=1" data-vars-content-id="8e5556ef-d9a6-4547-bf38-860346507cf1" data-vars-headline="&quot;Souls To The Voter Rolls&quot;: Local orgs host registration event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tqv.vrswebapps.com/?state=FL&amp;county=DAD&amp;election=913&amp;ShowPrecinctSplits=1" target="_blank">Voter turnout</a> in Miami-Dade County in the August primary was just about 19%.

Here are the South Florida races we're watching on primary night

Miami-Dade County voters are heading to the polls.

Today is primary election day in South Florida. Why it matters: Miami-Dade County voters are heading to the polls to elect representatives at the federal, state and local levels.

Big real estate firms and developers fund Vicki Lopez's campaign

Lopez spearheaded the Live Local Act while serving in Florida's House of Representatives.

News

More than 70% of Miami-Dade Commissioner Vicki Lopez&#x27;s District 5 reelection campaign was funded by executives and companies in real estate-related industries, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Real Deal reported" data-vars-click-url="https://therealdeal.com/miami/2026/08/12/vicki-lopez-raises-big-money-from-miami-billionaires/" data-vars-content-id="1b1f3618-a509-492e-a678-ef525ecf4978" data-vars-headline="Big real estate firms and developers fund Vicki Lopez&#x27;s campaign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://therealdeal.com/miami/2026/08/12/vicki-lopez-raises-big-money-from-miami-billionaires/" target="_blank">the Real Deal reported</a>. Why it matters: Lopez, who was appointed to succeed now-Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, spearheaded the Live Local Act, which preempts local zoning for affordable housing, while serving in the state House of Representatives.<ul><li>As a Miami-Dade commissioner, she&#x27;s advocated for more housing options and addressing affordability.</li></ul>

Meet the South Florida primary candidates for state representative

Early voting for primary elections has already begun.Why it matters: Miami-Dade residents will vote in local races, but they&#x27;ll have the opportunity to elect their representatives at the state level, too.

Florida judge orders rewrite of property tax referendum

A judge found the referendum language misleading.

Florida&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property tax referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/09/floridas-property-tax-amendment-lacks-champions" data-vars-content-id="0d8920c1-b215-49c5-9d82-7b56cce22ea2" data-vars-headline="Florida judge orders rewrite of property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/09/floridas-property-tax-amendment-lacks-champions" target="_self">property tax referendum</a> needs a rewrite, a judge ruled on Monday.Why it matters: The November ballot question would give homeowners a tax break by increasing the non-schools homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 by 2027 — and then to $250,000 by 2028.

Meet the South Florida primary candidates for U.S. House and Senate

The primary elections are less than one month away.

The primary elections are less than one month away.Why it matters: Miami-Dade residents will vote in local races, but they&#x27;ll have the opportunity to elect their representatives at the federal and state level, too.<ul><li>ICYMI: Here are our election guides for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="county commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/candidates-miami-dade-commission-election" data-vars-content-id="9a200dde-618d-4fa2-9d50-27b0eec1998d" data-vars-headline="Meet the South Florida primary candidates for U.S. House and Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/candidates-miami-dade-commission-election" target="_self">county commission</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school board" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/candidates-running-for-miami-dade-school-board-august-election" data-vars-content-id="9a200dde-618d-4fa2-9d50-27b0eec1998d" data-vars-headline="Meet the South Florida primary candidates for U.S. House and Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/candidates-running-for-miami-dade-school-board-august-election" target="_self">school board</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/miami-gardens-elections-heres-whos-running-august" data-vars-content-id="9a200dde-618d-4fa2-9d50-27b0eec1998d" data-vars-headline="Meet the South Florida primary candidates for U.S. House and Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/miami-gardens-elections-heres-whos-running-august" target="_self">Miami Gardens</a> races, plus the city of Miami <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marine Stadium referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/miami-marine-stadium-referendum-election" data-vars-content-id="9a200dde-618d-4fa2-9d50-27b0eec1998d" data-vars-headline="Meet the South Florida primary candidates for U.S. House and Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/29/miami-marine-stadium-referendum-election" target="_self">Marine Stadium referendum</a>.</li></ul>

These are the candidates running for Miami-Dade School Board

Two seats are up for grabs to represent public schools in Districts 1 and 8.

Education

A crowded field is vying to represent public schools in Miami-Dade&#x27;s District 1, which includes Miami Gardens and surrounding areas. <ul><li>Three other seats — Districts 2, 4 and 6 — were also up for reelection, but unopposed candidates won their seats by default.</li><li>In District 8, incumbent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monica Colucci" data-vars-click-url="https://www.monicacolucci.com/" data-vars-content-id="17f7a88e-8139-4b22-80e4-0b571c8821c6" data-vars-headline="These are the candidates running for Miami-Dade School Board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.monicacolucci.com/" target="_blank">Monica Colucci</a> will face write-in candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sam Joseph" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8LrdeQ43IM" data-vars-content-id="17f7a88e-8139-4b22-80e4-0b571c8821c6" data-vars-headline="These are the candidates running for Miami-Dade School Board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8LrdeQ43IM" target="_blank">Sam Joseph</a>, a political newcomer.</li></ul>

What to know about Miami Marine Stadium referendum

Voters will decide on the fate of the historic venue this August.

City of Miami voters will decide Aug. 18 whether to approve a management agreement to help restore Miami Marine Stadium.Why it matters: The historically designated stadium, which closed in 1992, has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shuttered for longer than it was in operation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wlrn.org/arts-culture/2024-10-15/miami-marine-stadium" data-vars-content-id="4e42b8fa-7e98-43ab-abb8-ae5a704d96cf" data-vars-headline="What to know about Miami Marine Stadium referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wlrn.org/arts-culture/2024-10-15/miami-marine-stadium" target="_blank">shuttered for longer than it was in operation</a>, despite numerous efforts to revive it, WLRN has reported.

Miami Gardens elections: Here's who's running

Miami Gardens residents will elect two new City Council members in the August election.

Election 🗳️

Governor candidates debate the issues, but not each other, at forum

"Souls To The Voter Rolls": Local orgs host registration event

Here are the South Florida races we're watching on primary night

Big real estate firms and developers fund Vicki Lopez's campaign

Meet the South Florida primary candidates for state representative