Charter commission drops August primary, keeps November general and moves runoffs out of Thanksgiving week

The Miami Lakes Charter Revision Commission voted on May 4 to remove a mandatory August primary from the town charter and to keep the general municipal election in November while directing that any runoff be scheduled in December rather than during the Thanksgiving week. The change follows months of discussion about turnout, cost and the timing of runoff contests.

Commission Chair Leisotto pressed for aligning key election steps with higher‑turnout dates and said the goal was to “get more people to vote” rather than rely on a low‑participation, off‑cycle runoff. Commissioners considered two alternatives drafted by the town attorney: a top‑two primary model (the two highest primary vote‑getters advance to November regardless of percentage) and a 50%+1 model (a candidate winning a majority in the primary is elected outright; otherwise the top two advance). After a 3–3 tie on the top‑two motion, the commission adopted a modified 50%+1 approach and simultaneously removed the mandatory August primary timing from the charter text.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the August primary historically draws far fewer voters than November elections and that runoffs held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving have posed logistical issues for election officials and depressed participation. The commission’s adopted change aims to avoid that holiday timing by directing staff to schedule any required runoff on a later date (commissioners discussed the second Tuesday in December as an example) and to coordinate the precise schedule with the Miami‑Dade Supervisor of Elections.

What the debate covered: Supporters said tying the decisive stage of an election to higher‑turnout cycles improves the legitimacy of the result and, when paired with the 50%+1 rule, avoids unnecessary off‑cycle runoffs in races where a candidate commands a majority. Opponents warned that requiring two rounds (a primary plus a November decision) can raise campaign costs and may favor better‑funded candidates; they also argued that some recent races produced outright majority winners in early ballots and did not require additional rounds.

What happened next: The commission directed the town attorney and clerk to draft conforming charter language and to return with precise calendar language that avoids Thanksgiving week, confirming the runoff scheduling will be coordinated with the County’s election calendar. The commission recorded a roll‑call poll on the competing motion before resolving to proceed with the amended 50%+1‑style approach and the date modification.

The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2026, to review refined language and other redline edits.