Polls open in West Miami and Bay Harbor Islands municipal elections

Voters in two South Florida municipalities headed to the polls Tuesday as local elections got underway in West Miami and Bay Harbor Islands.

The Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections announced that polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, and will remain open until 7:00 p.m. Voters must cast ballots at their assigned precincts, with officials noting that anyone in line by closing time will still be allowed to vote.

“Today is an opportunity for voters in Bay Harbor Islands and West Miami to make their voices heard in their local elections,” said Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia. “I encourage all eligible voters to head to the polls and take part in this important civic process.”

In West Miami, voters are deciding a mayoral contest between incumbent Eric Diaz-Padron and challenger Yolanda Aguilar.

Three City Commission seats are also being contested. In the race for Seat 1, Republican healthcare executive Victoria De La Torre, a former journalist and Planning and Zoning Board member, is facing Democratic legal consultant George Lavin.

Seat 2 features incumbent Commissioner Juan Blanes, 67, seeking re-election against challenger Fermin Belleau.

Meanwhile, voters are also selecting a candidate for Seat 4, currently held by Gustavo Ceballos, who assumed the role after Natalie Milian Orbis was appointed to the Miami-Dade County Commission last May.

In Bay Harbor Islands, voters are deciding the Town Council At-Large race between Gustavo Ortega and Elchonon Shagalov.

Election officials encouraged voters to visit the Miami-Dade elections website to find their assigned polling location, review sample ballots, and access additional voter information.

The municipal elections are expected to determine key leadership positions that will shape local governance and policy decisions in both communities.