The Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Office on Thursday began mailing ballots for the April 21 Coral Gables Special Election, as the city prepares for a vote centered on a series of proposed charter amendments.
A total of 37,332 ballots were dispatched on March 19 from the Elections Headquarters warehouse in Doral, where they were loaded onto a U.S. Postal Service truck for delivery to all registered voters in Coral Gables. The election will be conducted entirely by mail.
Following the rollout, Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia underscored the security and accessibility of the process while encouraging voter participation.
“Building the public’s trust through secure, fair, accurate, and accessible elections is my pledge,” Garcia said. “This mail ballot special election is a completely secure, convenient, and cost-effective alternative requested by the City of Coral Gables.”
Voters will weigh in on eight referendum questions that could significantly reshape aspects of city governance. Among the proposals are measures to align Coral Gables’ municipal election date with national elections and to prohibit future changes to that date by ordinance.
Other questions include whether elected officials should have the authority to remove board members before their terms expire, and whether the city charter should undergo a mandatory review every 10 years. Voters will also consider authorizing the use of a contracted inspector general when needed, and requiring voter approval before any changes are made to the compensation of elected officials.
Additional proposals address eliminating runoff elections in commission and mayoral races, as well as establishing policies governing the city’s general fund reserves and how those funds may be spent.
Eligible Coral Gables residents who are not yet registered have until March 23 to do so. Voters who need a replacement ballot can request one by sworn statement up to 7 p.m. on Election Day, though the deadline to have a replacement ballot mailed is April 9. After that date, replacement ballots must be requested in person at the Elections Headquarters in Doral.
All completed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on April 21. Officials say voters may return them by mail or deliver them in person to the Elections Headquarters before the deadline.
