Pembroke Pines leaders direct staff to draft measure to move city elections to November
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Summary
Vice Mayor Hernandez and supporters argued shifting municipal elections from March to November would raise turnout and save the city election costs; commissioners directed the city attorney to draft ordinance and ballot language and asked the supervisor of elections to brief the commission on April 15.
Pembroke Pines commissioners on March 21 directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance and ballot question to move the city’s municipal elections from March to November and to return with legal and timing details on April 15.
Vice Mayor Hernandez led the push, saying low turnout in recent March races and the per-voter cost of special municipal elections justified the change. He told the commission that his November race drew “about 21,000” votes compared with 2,815 in a recent March contest and warned the city was paying “roughly $2.79 a registered voter” if a charter amendment were required. “I don't think it's a good use of our taxpayer dollars to pay $53,000 more per race in perpetuity,” he said.
Mayor Angelo Castillo said residents want elections in November. “The people want their elections in November,” he said, adding that consolidating elections can save money and increase voter participation.
County Commissioner Nan Rich, who spoke as a guest, urged the commission to consider the experience of other Florida cities that have moved to November and said higher turnout in November was a documented outcome. “There is no question that more people vote when it's in November,” she told commissioners.
Commissioners debated trade-offs: supporters stressed turnout and cost savings, while skeptics warned about greater partisan influence and the loss of staggered terms. Commissioner Schwartz urged comprehensive public workshops and more data before a final decision, noting potential impacts on incumbency and campaign dynamics.
City Attorney Sam Goren and City Manager Dodge were directed to draft an ordinance for first reading and to confirm ballot deadlines and legal requirements with the supervisor of elections. The motion to prepare ordinance language and return on April 15 passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will prepare draft ordinance and ballot language, coordinate with the supervisor of elections for legal sufficiency and deadlines, and the April 15 meeting will include a supervisor’s office representative and public outreach plans.
