Upcoming Elections
Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to stay informed and exercise your right to vote.
2024 Elections
Election: November 5, 2024
October 7: Voter Registration closes
October 21 - November 3: Early Voting
October 24: Deadline to Request Vote-By-Mail Ballot
Voter Resources
2024 Ballot Breakdown
Federal Elections
United States President
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Third Party/Independent:
Peter Sonski
United States Senate
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Rick Scott (incumbent)
Third Party/Independent:
Howard Knepper
U.S. House District 27
Local and State Elections
Florida House District 113
Property Appraiser (County)
Circuit Court Clerk and Comptroller (County)
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Juan Fernandez-Barquin (incumbent)
No Party Affiliation:
Rubin Young
Sheriff (County)
Supervisor of Elections (County)
Tax Collector (County)
Miami-Dade County Court (Group 29)
Florida Justices
Florida appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices are on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years so voters can determine whether they should stay in office. This regular vote is called “merit retention.” Their terms are staggered. This year, 2 Supreme Court justices (out of seven) and 3 appeals court judges in our district have merit retention elections.
Florida Supreme Court
Year Appointed: 2022
Appointed by: Governor Ron DeSantis
Florida 3rd District Court of Appeals
Year Appointed: 2010
Appointed by: Governor Charlie Crist
Florida 3rd District Court of Appeals
Year Appointed: 2017
Appointed by: Governor Rick Scott
Florida Supreme Court
Year Appointed: 2023
Appointed by: Governor Ron DeSantis
Florida 3rd District Court of Appeals
Year Appointed: 2011
Appointed by: Governor Rick Scott
Ballot Measures
Florida: Constitutional Amendment 1
Partisan School Board Elections
Overview: Amendment 1 would make school board elections partisan beginning in 2026. Candidates would be nominated for the general election through partisan primaries and be featured on the ballot with partisan labels, such as Democrat and Republican. As of 2024, the Florida Constitution requires school board elections to be nonpartisan, meaning that partisan labels do not appear on the ballot next to a candidate's name.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 1: A "yes" vote supports making school board elections partisan beginning in the November 2026 general election and for primary elections nominating party candidates for the 2026 election.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 1: A "no" vote opposes making school board elections partisan, thereby maintaining current procedures where school board members are elected in a nonpartisan election.
Florida: Constitutional Amendment 2
Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment
Overview: The ballot measure would provide a state constitutional right to hunt and fish and declare that hunting and fishing are the preferred means for "responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife" and "shall be preserved forever as a public right." The amendment would not limit the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's constitutional powers under Article IV, Section 9.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 2: A "yes" vote supports establishing a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Florida.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 2: A "no" vote opposes establishing a constitutional right to hunt and fish in Florida.
Florida: Constitutional Amendment 3
Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Overview: The initiative would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. Individuals would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of marijuana (about 85 grams), with up to five grams in the form of concentrate. Existing Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers would be authorized under the initiative to sell marijuana to adults for personal use. The Florida State Legislature could provide by state law for the licensure of entities other than existing Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers to cultivate and sell marijuana products.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 3: A "yes" vote supports legalizing marijuana for adults 21 years old and older and allowing individuals to possess up to three ounces of marijuana.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 3: A "no" vote opposes legalizing marijuana for adult use in Florida.
Florida: Constitutional Amendment 4
Right to Abortion Initiative
Overview: The initiative would provide a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability (estimated to be around 24 weeks) or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider.[1]
The following language would be added to the state constitution: "Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider."[1]
The initiative would not change the state legislature's authority to enact a law requiring the parents of a minor to be notified if their child is seeking an abortion, with exceptions that can be attained through a judicial waiver.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 4: A "yes" vote supports establishing a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 4: A "no" vote opposes establishing a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability.
Florida: Constitutional Amendment 5
Annual Inflation Adjustment for Homestead Property Tax Exemption Value Amendment
Overview: As of 2024, in Florida, property tax (millage) rates were set by counties, school districts, cities, and special districts. Homes in Florida are assessed at just value (market value), minus the homestead exemption. The homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a property. Every primary residence is eligible for a $25,000 homestead exemption, which exempts that amount from all taxes. Another $25,000 homestead exemption is applied on a homestead's value between $50,000 and $75,000, which exempts that amount from all taxes except school district taxes.
The amendment would provide for an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead property tax exemption that applies to non-school taxes. The adjustment would be made every year on January 1 based on the percent change in the Consumer Price Index reported by the U.S. Department of Labor if the change is positive.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 5: A "yes" vote supports an annual inflation adjustment to the amount of assessed value that is exempt from property taxation.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 5: A "no" vote opposes an annual inflation adjustment to the amount of assessed value that is exempt from property taxation.
Florida: Constitutional Amendment 6
Repeal of Public Financing for Statewide Campaigns
Overview: The amendment would repeal Section 7 of Article VI of the Florida Constitution, which provides for public campaign financing for statewide candidates who agree to spending limits. Currently, under Article VI, public campaign financing is available for candidates for the offices of governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and commissioner of agriculture.
Public financing in Florida is available for candidates for the offices of governor and elected cabinet members (attorney general, chief financial officer, and commissioner of agriculture). To qualify for public campaign financing, a candidate must:
- not be running unopposed;
- agree to expenditure limits;
- raise $150,000 (for gubernatorial candidates) or $100,000 (for cabinet candidates);
- limit loans or contributions from the candidate’s personal funds to $25,000 and limit contributions from political parties to $250,000; and
- report campaign financing data to the division of elections and submit to a post-election financial audit.
The public campaign financing program is funded by the General Revenue Fund. In 2022, the expenditure limit for gubernatorial candidates receiving public campaign financing was $30.29 million ($2.00 per registered voter) and the limit for cabinet candidates was $15.14 million ($1.00 per registered voter).
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 6: A "yes" vote supports repealing the state constitutional provision that provides for public financing of campaigns for those running for elective statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 6: A "no" vote opposes repealing the constitutional provision that allows for the public financing of campaigns, therefore continuing to allow public campaign financing for statewide candidates who agree to certain spending limits.
Other Upcoming elections to watch:
2025 - City of Miami District 3
Incumbent: Joe Carollo
Candidates: None declared
2025 - City of Miami Mayor
Incumbent: Francis Suarez
Candidates: None declared
November 2022 Ballot Breakdown
Elected Offices
Florida House District 113
Florida Senate District 36
U.S. House District 27
United States Senate
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Marco Rubio (incumbent)
Other Candidates:
Steven B. Grant (NPA)
Dennis Misigoy (Libertarian)
Tuan TQ Nguyen (NPA)
Governor of Florida
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Ron DeSantis (Incumbent)
Other Candidates:
Carmen Jackie Gimenez (NPA)
Hector Roos (Libertarian)
Other State-wide Offices
Attorney General of Florida:
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Ashley B. Moody (Incumbent)(R)
Florida Chief Financial Officer
Jimmy Patronis (Incumbent) (R)
Adam Hattersley (D)
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Candidates:
Democratic Party:
Republican Party:
Don't' see your information here? Contact us at info@miamishenandoah.com
Justices
Florida appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices are on the ballot in nonpartisan
elections every six years so voters can determine whether they should stay in office. This
regular vote is called “merit retention.” Their terms are staggered. This year, 5 Supreme
Court justices (out of seven) and 2 appeals court judges in our district have merit retention
elections.
Justice Charles T. Canady (Florida Supreme Court)
Year Appointed: 2008
Appointed by: Governor Charlie Crist
Justice Jamie R. Grosshans (Florida Supreme Court)
Year Appointed: 2020
Appointed by: Governor Ron DeSantis
Justice Ricky Polston (Florida Supreme Court)
Year Appointed: 2008
Appointed by: Governor Charlie Crist
Judge Edwin A. Scales, III (Florida Third District Court of Appeal)
Year Appointed: 2013
Appointed by: Governor Rick Scott
Justice John D. Couriel (Florida Supreme Court)
Year Appointed: 2020
Appointed by: Governor Ron DeSantis
Justice Jorge Labarga (Florida Supreme Court)
Year Appointed: 2008
Appointed by: Governor Charlie Crist
Judge Alexander S. Bokor (Florida Third District Court of Appeal)
Year Appointed: 2020
Appointed by: Governor Ron DeSantis
2022 Referendums and Charter Amendments
State: Constitutional Amendment 1
Limitation on the Assessment of Real Property Used for Residential Purposes
Overview: Many home improvement projects ultimately increase the assessed value of a home, which means the homeowners pay higher property taxes. This amendment would allow the Florida Legislature to pass laws that would make improvements intended to protect homes from flood damage exempt from higher assessments. The amendment is in response to the threat to Florida homes from rising sea levels.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 1:
Authorizes the Florida State Legislature to pass laws prohibiting flood resistance improvements to residential property from being considered when determining that
residential property’s assessed value for property taxes
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 1:
Permits flood resistance improvements
to residential property to continue to be considered when determining that residential property’s assessed value for property taxes.
Pros: Florida is uniquely at risk of flooding and sea level rise. Supporters of this amendment argue that it will not only protect homeowners who take proactive measures to protect their property from flooding, but it will also reward and incentivize them to do so. This bipartisan amendment received 98.33% approval in the Florida House of Representatives and 100% approval in the Florida State Senate in 2021.
Cons: Opponents would argue that prohibiting these improvements from being considered in the assessed value for property taxes would ultimately reduce the amount of ad valorem taxes that could be collected to fund services by local governments. This reduction is minimal but
should be noted.
Sources: James Madison Institute
State: Constitutional Amendment 2
Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission
Overview: An amendment to Florida’s Constitution can get on the ballot several ways, including through a vote by the Legislature, a citizen-led petition drive, constitutional convention, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission and the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), which convenes every 20 years and whose 37 members are appointed by the governor, legislative leaders and the chief justice of the Florida Supreme court. This amendment would abolish the CRC, which last convened in 2017-18 and placed eight amendments on the 2018 ballot, several of which bundled different amendments into one question.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 2: Supports abolishing the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). The CRC meets every 20
years to propose changes to the state’s constitution and refer them to the statewide ballot for voter approval or rejection.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 2: Opposes abolishing the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).
Pros: The CRC is a 37-member commission provided for in the Florida constitution that sets its own rules and procedures. Florida is the only state with a commission that can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voter approval or denial. In 2018, seven out of eight amendments referred to the ballot by the CRC were the subject of lawsuits alleging that the amendments were unconstitutionally composed of multiple subjects or contained inaccurate or misleading language. Supporters of this amendment contend that abolishing the CRC is necessary to protect Florida voters from multiple subject or vague amendments proposed by ill-experienced members.
Cons: Opponents of this amendment argue that lawmakers should improve the CRC by tightening its procedures and required qualifications for its members instead of abolishing the commission entirely.
Sources: James Madison Institute
State: Constitutional Amendment 3
Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Specified Critical Public Service Workforce
Overview: This amendment would authorize the state Legislature to create a new homestead exemption of up to $50,000 for certain public service employees, including “classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and members of the Florida National Guard.” The exemption means property owners in these professions can subtract $50,000 from the assessed value of their property, which will reduce their local property tax bills. The exemption would be in addition to the standard $50,000 homestead exemptions Floridians already receive on their primary residence. The new exemption would not apply to assessments for school taxes. The Legislature has already passed a companion bill that, if the constitutional amendment is passed by 60% of Florida’s voters, will create the new exemption and make it effective on Jan. 1, 2023.
A YES VOTE ON AMENDMENT 3:
Authorizes the Florida Legislature to
provide an additional homestead property tax exemption of $50,000 of assessed value on property owned by certain public service workers, including teachers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical
personnel, active duty members of the military and Florida National Guard, and child welfare service employees.
A NO VOTE ON AMENDMENT 3:
Opposes authorizing the Florida Legislature to provide an additional homestead tax exemption on $50,000 of assessed value on property owned by certain public service
workers.
Pros: Every primary residence in Florida is eligible for a homestead tax exemption of $25,000. An additional homestead tax exemption of $25,000 is available on the property’s value between $50,000 and
$75,000, bringing the total possible homestead tax exemption for all primary residences in Florida to $50,000. This amendment would authorize an additional homestead property tax exemption of $50,000 on the property’s value between $100,000 and $150,000 only for primary
residences owned by qualifying public service workers.
Supporters of this measure contend that, given the increased home values and property taxes, critical public service workers deserve a tax break. They argue that because these specific categories of public service workers sacrifice much to protect our state, we should help ensure they can afford to keep their homes. This amendment is consistent with the House’s commitment to affordable housing.
Cons: The Revenue Estimating Conference estimated that approval of the amendment would reduce local property tax revenue (except school district tax revenue) by $85.9 million beginning in Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Therefore, opponents of this measure argue that the exemption would greatly jeopardize the funds available for local government services, while not guaranteeing that public service workers can even purchase homes,
much less afford to keep them. In addition, some would contend that this amendment would be a case of creating tax policy that favors specific groups over others. Rather than provide an additional exemption to
select public service workers, Florida should look to lower property tax rates for all homestead property.
Sources: James Madison Institute
County Referendum 1
Charter Amendment Creating Local Oath of Office for County Commissioners and the County Mayor
A YES VOTE ON REFERENDUM 1:
Supports amending the County Charter to require an oath of office for Mayor and County Commissioners swearing or affirming "that they will support, protect and defend the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter and the government of Miami-Dade County."
A NO VOTE ON REFERENDUM 1:
Opposes amending the County Charter to require an oath of office for Mayor and County Commissioners swearing or affirming "that they will support, protect and defend the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter and the government of Miami-Dade County."
Source: Ballotpedia
County Referendum 2
Charter Amendment Requiring Voter Approval for Changes to Governing Structure of County Transportation Assets
A YES VOTE ON REFERENDUM 2:
Supports amending the County Charter to require voter approval for the Board of County Commissioners to transfer ownership or governing authority of the Miami International Airport, PortMiami, or Miami-Dade Expressway Authority.
A NO VOTE ON REFERENDUM 2:
opposes amending the County Charter to require voter approval for the Board of County Commissioners to transfer ownership or governing authority of the Miami International Airport, PortMiami, or Miami-Dade Expressway Authority.
Source: Ballotpedia
School Board Referendum
Referendum to Approve Ad Valorem Levy for
Teachers, Instructional Personnel, Student Safety and Security
Overview: If Miami-Dade County voters choose to increase their property taxes, the school district would raise an extra $395 million a year to boost pay for teachers and expand school safety efforts.
The referendum is a continuation and an increase of the measure voters approved by more than 70% in 2018. According to the district, the property tax hike allowed the school system to boost pay for instructional staff and nearly double the size of the Miami-Dade School Police, the largest school police force in the nation. That measure is set to expire June 30, 2023.
The proposal would set the tax rate at one mill over four years, which is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. That rate would be an increase from the .75 mill for the 2018 referendum. According to the district, the proposed referendum would amount to an extra $219 a year for the average homeowner.
A YES VOTE ON SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM:
Supports allowing Miami-Date County School Board to enact a property tax of 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of assessed property value) from July 2023 through June 2027 to fund school operations and teacher compensation.
A NO VOTE ON SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM:
Opposes allowing Miami-Date County School Board to enact a property tax of 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of assessed property value) from July 2023 through June 2027 to fund school operations and teacher compensation.
Sources: WLRN
News articles: WSVN, Miami Herald
City of Miami Referendum
Lease Extension to Redevelop Existing Hyatt
Hotel and Knight Center at 400 SE 2nd Avenue (see the detailed referendum here)
Overview: The ballot question asks residents to greenlight transforming the James L. Knight Center and the attached Hyatt Regency Miami hotel into a three-tower development called Miami Riverbridge. Designed by Arquitectonica, the project entails 1,500 apartments, a new 615-key Hyatt hotel with 264 service-branded apartments, and a 190,000-square-foot convention space.
The referendum also asks voters to give Hyatt a 99-year extension on a current lease that is up for a 45-year renewal in 2027. Hyatt has leased the 4.1-acre property from the city of Miami since 1979.
The joint venture agreed to pay the city 2.5 percent of the project’s gross revenues or annual rent of $2.5 million, whichever is greater. Hyatt currently pays the city $250,000 a year.
The project’s public benefits include a $25 million donation to the city from the developers for affordable housing, expanding the riverfront promenade by 480 feet and adding more than 50,000 square feet of outdoor public space, the release states.
Sources: The Real Deal
News articles: Miami Herald, Florida YIMBY, Miami Today News, South Florida Business Journal