2025 Local Elections in Miami-Dade: Impact and Dynamics at Play

2025 Local Elections in Miami-Dade: Impact and Dynamics at Play, Key Issues, Candidates, and Issues Defining the Race

Though 2025 is not a general election year, Miami-Dade will hold pivotal local elections that could shape the trajectory of several cities. The election cycle began with uncontested races — such as in Golden Beach and Hialeah Gardens — due to a lack of opposition. However, April brings key elections in Coral Gables, Surfside, Miami Springs, and Bay Harbor Islands.

In Coral Gables, the mayoral race is shaping up to be one of the most contentious, pitting incumbent Mayor Vince Lago against Commissioner Kirk Menéndez amid tensions over urban development. The November elections, particularly in Miami and Hialeah, will be the largest, featuring open mayoral races. Additionally, a new state law requires voters to renew mail-in ballot requests after each general or midterm election, a process already underway for 2025.

2025 Miami-Dade Local Elections: A Detailed Overview
The 2025 municipal elections in Miami-Dade promise to gauge the political climate following years of scandals and citizen demands for transparency. Below, an updated analysis with key dates, candidates, and decisive issues:

2025 Miami-Dade Municipal Elections in Chronological Order

February 18, 2025

Golden Beach (General Election, canceled

1. • Golden Beach (General Election, canceled)
     • Candidate qualifications: December 30, 2024 – January 6, 2025.Voter registration: January 21, 2025*.Mayor Glenn Singer and Commissioner Judy Lusskin were reelected unopposed.Jessie Mendal will fill the seat vacated by Jaime Mendal (8-year term), also uncontested.
   Current Officials:

March 4, 2025

Golden Beach (Runoff Election, canceled).

Hialeah Gardens (General Election, canceled).

Candidate qualifications: December 19, 2024 – January 17, 2025.

Voter registration: February 3, 2025.

Mayor Yioset de la Cruz and two commissioners (Groups 5 and 6) retained seats unopposed.

March 18, 2025

Hialeah Gardens (Runoff Election, canceled).

Voter registration: February 18, 2025*.

April 1, 2025

Bay Harbor Islands (General Election)

• Bay Harbor Islands (General Election).
  • Candidate qualifications: February 20 – March 2, 2025.

Miami Springs

Miami Springs (General Election: Open race for mayor and 3 council seats — term limits and resignations apply).

Candidate qualifications: December 16, 2024 – February 14, 2025.

Key Dates

• General Election: April 1, 2025.
• Voter registration: March 3, 2025.
• Mail-in voting:
  • Request deadline: March 20, 2025. Renewal required every 2 years (Apply here).
• Early voting:
  • Dates: March 28–29, 2025. Location: City Hall (201 Westward Drive), 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Election Day:
  • Location: Miami Springs Golf & Country Club (650 Curtiss Parkway). Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Positions at Stake

• Mayor (1 seat).
• Commissioners: Groups I, II, III, and IV (1 seat each).

Key Details

• Nonpartisan elections: No political affiliation required.
• Qualification period: December 16, 2024 – February 14, 2025.

Competitiveness:

• Mayor: 2 candidates.
• Group II: 3 candidates (most contested race).

How to Participate

• Check your registration: Miami-Dade Elections.
• Early voting: In-person on March 28–29.
• Mail-in voting: Request by March 20.
• Note: For inquiries, contact the Miami Springs City Clerk:
  • Phone: 305-805-5006 / Email: cityclerk@miamisprings-fl.gov.
• Download sample ballot | Campaign finance reports.
• For details, visit the official City of Miami Springs website.

Current Officials

Surfside

• Surfside (Special Election).
  Key dates:
  • Voter registration: March 3, 2025.
  • Mail-in ballot request: March 20, 2025.
  • Early voting:
    • Miami Springs: March 28–29 (City Hall).
    • Surfside: No early voting.
  • Special Election: Vote to amend the charter regarding floor-area ratios for new single-family homes. politicalcortadito.com.

Current Officials:

April 8, 2025

Biscayne Park

• Biscayne Park (Special Election, canceled).
  • Candidate qualifications: February 20–28, 2025.

Coral Gables

• Coral Gables (Biennial General Election: Mayor & Commission).
  • Candidate qualifications: February 17–21, 2025.

Context: Post-“Raisegate” scandal (78% self-approved salary hikes in 2023), the election focuses on ethics.
Candidates:

• Group III – Commissioners:
  • Claudia Miró: Public policy specialist (25+ years), advocates for public safety, mobility, and transparency.
  • Tom Wells: Attorney and activist, prioritizes transparency and responsible urban planning.
  • Richard Lara: Veteran attorney, promotes fiscal accountability and government efficiency.
• Group II – Commissioners:
  • Laureano Cancio: Labor attorney (40+ years), focuses on social polarization and public services.
  • Rhonda Anderson (incumbent): Civil/criminal litigator, seeks to continue public safety and sustainability projects.
• Mayoral Race:
  • Vince Lago (incumbent): Engineer advocating controlled development and sustainability.
  • Michael Anthony Abbott: Accountant pushing fiscal transparency and reduced spending.
  • Melissa Castro (commissioner linked to scandal).

Date: April 8, 2025.

Current Officials:

Miami Shores Village

• Miami Shores Village (Council Election).
  • Candidate qualifications: February 3–28, 2025.
    Key dates:
• Voter registration: March 10, 2025.
• Mail-in ballot request: March 27, 2025.

Current Officials:

April 22, 2025 (Runoff, if needed)

Coral Gables.

Key dates:

• Voter registration: March 24, 2025.
• Mail-in ballot request: April 10, 2025.

April 29, 2025 (Canceled Elections)

Biscayne Park (Special Runoff, canceled).

Miami Shores Village (Council Runoff, canceled).

Voter registration: March 31, 2025.

May 1, 2025

Bay Harbor Islands (Runoff).

• Voter registration: April 2, 2025.

May 13, 2025

Sweetwater

• Sweetwater (Municipal & Special Election).
  • Candidate qualifications: March 19–28, 2025.
    Key dates:
• Voter registration: April 14, 2025.
• Mail-in ballot request: May 1, 2025.
• No early voting.

Current Officials:

October 7, 2025

Homestead

• Homestead (Primary Election).
  • Voter registration: September 8, 2025.

Current Officials:

November 4, 2025

Hialeah

• Hialeah (Primary Election).
  • Candidate qualifications: July 7–28, 2025.
  • Dynamic: Traditional political stronghold under pressure to diversify.
  • General Election: TBD (Primary on November 4).

Current Officials:

Homestead (General Election).

Miami

• Miami (Municipal General Election: Mayor & Commissioners).
  • Candidate qualifications: September 5–20, 2025.
  • Positions: Mayor and Commissioners for Districts 3 & 5.
    Mayoral Candidates:
• Ken Russell (ex-commissioner, 2022 congressional candidate).
• Alex Díaz de la Portilla (ex-commissioner facing corruption trial).
• Manolo Reyes (current commissioner).
• Key Issue: Proposal for lifetime term limits (max 16 years in public office), to be voted on in November.

Current Officials:

Miami Beach

• Miami Beach (General Election).
  • Candidate qualifications: September 2–5, 2025.
  • Voter registration: October 6, 2025.
  • Referendum: Building height limits (sustainable tourism vs. hotel development).

Current Officials:

December 9, 2025 (Runoffs)

Municipalities:

Miami (Runoff, if needed).

Miami Beach (Runoff, if needed).

Voter registration: November 10, 2025.

Pending Election (TBD):

Hialeah (General Election).

Important Notes

• Candidate qualification dates: Subject to change.
• Canceled elections: Golden Beach, Hialeah Gardens, and Biscayne Park due to lack of candidates or municipal resolutions.
• Voter registration: Use the Miami-Dade Elections Supervisor site.
• Mail-in voting: Requests expire every 2 years. Renew yours if you voted by mail in 2023.
• Mail-in voting changes:
  • New Florida law requires renewing absentee ballot requests after each general election.
  • As of February 2025, 19,113 voters had requested mail ballots.

Source: Miami-Dade County 2025 Election Calendar (subject to change).
If registration deadlines fall on a holiday, they move to the next business day.

Trends & Controversies

• Term Limits: Miami debates lifetime term limits to curb “political recycling” (e.g., Joe Carollo’s potential comeback).
• Campaign Funding: In Miami, Maxwell Martinez (mayoral candidate) leads with $134K raised; Ken Russell yet to report funds.
• Voter Turnout: Only 22% voted in 2023 municipals. Federal election overlap in November 2025 may boost participation.
• Election Security: Supervisor Alina Garcia emphasizes fraud prevention (e.g., enhanced mail-in ballot verification).

Candidates to Watch

• Miami:
  • Carlos Giménez (ex-mayor, GOP congressman): Potential undeclared candidate.
  • June Savage (real estate CEO): Capitalizes on anti-establishment sentiment.
• Coral Gables: Independent activists vow to “challenge the old guard.”

Voter Guide

• Registration: Check status at Miami-Dade Elections.
• Mail-in voting: Request ballots by March 20 (April elections).
• Early voting: Available in Miami Springs (March 28–29) and Miami (locations TBD).

Implications

These elections will shape:

• Transparency: Post-scandals in Coral Gables and Miami.
• Affordable Housing: Rents up 40% since 2020.
• Climate Change: Recurrent flooding in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.

Miami-Dade faces a crossroads between continuity and reform. With contested leaders and new voices rising, 2025 could redefine local politics.

Logistical Challenges

• Voter Turnout: Only 22% in 2023 municipals; federal election overlap may boost numbers.
• Mail-in Voting: Post-2024 controversies prompt enhanced security measures.

What Voters Want

• 68% prioritize “transparency in public spending.”
• 52% demand “immediate housing solutions.”
• 45% seek “young, diverse leadership.”

🗳️ Your Voice Matters: Vote in Local Elections!

Local elections impact daily life: public safety, taxes, transit, and development. Historically, only ~20% of Miami-Dade voters participate municipally. With rising political shifts, complacency is not an option.

2025 will test public sentiment after years of scandals and socioeconomic challenges. As traditional candidates tout stability, reformers push for change. One thing is clear: Miami-Dade stands at a crossroads, and every vote will count.

Sources:

• Miami-Dade Elections Department
• Miami Herald 2024 Election Analysis
• Florida Commission on Ethics
• Axios Miami
• Official municipal websites.