Miami Elections Lawsuit Update: Agreement Lifts Stay, Candidates May Appear on Ballot

Agreement to Lift Election Stay

• 🤝 An agreement has been struck between mayoral candidate Emilio Gonzalez and the city of Miami, temporarily lifting a stay that prevented candidates' names from appearing on the November ballot.
• ⚖️ This agreement is seen as a win for Miami voters by the plaintiff in the related lawsuit.

Background of the Lawsuit

• 🗳️ The case stems from a 3-to-2 city commission vote in June to postpone the November general election to next year, extending commissioners' terms by a year.
• 🏛️ Emilio Gonzalez filed a lawsuit arguing the ordinance is unconstitutional without a public vote, a stance initially supported by a trial judge.
• 🚫 The trial judge ruled the ordinance unlawful without voter approval, but an automatic stay was put in place as the city appealed.

Current Status and Future Outlook

• ✅ With the stay lifted, candidates are currently set to appear on the November ballot, provided the third district court of appeal does not overturn the trial judge's decision.
• ⚠️ The city reserves the right to reinstate the stay if the appellate court's ruling is favorable to them.
• 🗓️ Miami Dade County's elections department has set September 20th as the candidate qualification deadline for the November election.