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 Miami Gardens
 Code of Ordinances
 Part I. CHARTER
 Article V. ELECTIONS

§ 5.1. Elections.  

Latest version.

  • (A)

    Electors. Any person who is a resident of the City, has qualified as an elector of the State, and registers to vote in the manner prescribed by law shall be an elector of the City.

    (B)

    Nonpartisan Elections. All elections for the Council and Mayor shall be conducted on a nonpartisan basis. The ballot shall not show the party designation of any candidate.

    (C)

    Election Dates. A general election shall be held in each even-numbered year, on the day of the state primary election, or if none is held in any such year, on the first Tuesday following the second Monday in September. A runoff election, if necessary, shall be held on the day of the state general election, or if none is held in any such year, then on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Council shall hold no meetings between the general election and the swearing in of those newly elected or re-elected Council members except in the case of an emergency affecting life, health, property or the public peace.

    (D)

    General Election. The ballot for the general election shall contain the names of all qualified candidates for Mayor, if the Mayor's term is expiring, and for each of the seats which are to be filled as a result of members' terms expiring. The ballot shall instruct electors to cast one vote for Mayor and one vote for each Council Seat, with a maximum of one vote per candidate. If any candidate for Mayor receives a number of votes greater than 50% of the total number of ballots cast, such candidate shall be the duly elected Mayor and no runoff election for Mayor shall be required. If any candidate for a Council Seat receives a number of votes greater than 50% of the total number of ballots cast, such candidate(s) shall be duly elected to the Council and no runoff election for that Seat (s) shall be required.

    (E)

    Runoff Election. If necessary, the ballot for the runoff election shall contain the names of the two candidates for Mayor and the names of the two candidates for each Council Seat, who received the most votes in the general election. The ballot shall instruct electors to cast one vote for Mayor and one vote for each Council Seat, with a maximum of one vote per candidate. The candidate for Mayor receiving the most votes shall be duly elected Mayor. The candidate for each Council Seat receiving the most votes shall be duly elected to that Council Seat.

    (F)

    Special Elections. Special elections, when required, shall be scheduled by the Council at such times and in such a manner as shall be consistent with this Charter and State law.

    (G)

    Single Candidates. No election for Mayor or any Council Seat shall be required in any election if there is only one duly qualified candidate for Mayor or for any Council Seat. That candidate shall be considered elected by operation of law.

    (H)

    Commencement of Terms. The term of office of all elected officials will commence at the next regularly scheduled council meeting following the day of the runoff election or, if there is no runoff election for Mayor or Council Seat, at the next regularly scheduled council meeting after the general election.

(Ord. No. 2006-10-91, § 2, 5-24-2006)