Voters in Surfside cast their ballots yesterday, Tuesday, April 7, in the town’s mayoral run-off election, but no results will be released until April 28, following a court order.
The ruling by Judge Lourdes Simon came after a lawsuit argued that the original April 8 election date would have conflicted with Passover, potentially disenfranchising the town’s Jewish residents. The decision created a three-week window for additional vote-by-mail ballots, allowing residents to request and submit them well beyond Election Day.
Eligible voters had the choice between former Mayor Shlomo Danzinger and Vice Mayor Tina Paul to serve as Surfside’s next mayor. Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as scheduled.
Mail-in ballots will continue to be accepted until 7 p.m. on April 28, either by mail or in person at Elections Headquarters at 2700 NW 87 Avenue or the Stephen P. Clark Center in downtown Miami. Ballots can be requested until April 16.
Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections, Alina Garcia, said she welcomed the court’s decision. “I am happy with this development and the opportunity to provide people of all faiths in Surfside the chance to fully participate in this election,” Garcia said.
The lawsuit was filed by Danzinger, along with Jewish organizations, rabbis, and voters, citing the First Amendment and Florida’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protects the free exercise of religion. Surfside is home to over 5,700 residents, roughly 2,500 of whom are Jewish, with a significant portion identifying as Orthodox or Conservative.
The court-ordered delay ensures that voters affected by religious observances have ample opportunity to participate, while maintaining Election Day voting yesterday. All results will be officially posted after 7 p.m. on April 28.
