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Pembroke Pines officials propose moving municipal elections to November, citing turnout and cost savings
Summary
City leaders told a town hall they plan to put a charter amendment on the November ballot to shift municipal elections from March to November, pointing to low March turnout (7–9%) versus roughly 80% in November and estimated savings in election administration costs.
Pembroke Pines officials said they will ask voters in November whether to move regular municipal elections from March to November, telling residents the step could boost turnout and reduce election costs.
Mayor Castillo opened the town hall by saying the city commission is contemplating three ballot questions and that the first, moving election dates, is “really the easiest one.” He highlighted turnout data, saying the city typically sees “somewhere between seven and nine% in a March election” but nearly 80% turnout in November general elections.
City Attorney Sam Gorum told the audience that any charter change must be presented neutrally and that state law restricts the city from using public funds to advocate for or against referendum items. He described the practical mechanics of the proposal: a one‑time eight‑month term extension to create staggered four‑year terms so no elected official serves more than four years as a result of the transition.
Officials provided comparisons of recent supervisor of elections invoices and costs for March contests and estimated incremental costs to place a referendum on a November ballot (about $0.75 per registered voter plus per-page fees). Presenters said the city has an elections agreement with the supervisor’s office and gave residents dates and deadlines for registration and early voting.
City leaders said the commission is scheduled to consider ordinances for second reading on Aug. 5 and that final ballot language would need to be submitted to the supervisor of elections by Aug. 18. Staff also posted an online calculator that lets residents enter taxable values to estimate the fiscal effect of any bond items that may appear with the election.
The town hall did not include a commission vote; the meeting functioned as public education and comment ahead of any formal ordinance or ballot certification.
