Every office Miami-Dade voters decide
The Mayor, the 13-member Board of County Commissioners, and the county's constitutional officers are all elected directly by voters, on different schedules. Here's what's on the ballot in 2026, when everything else is next up, and how to register and vote.
2026 election calendar
Early voting
Monday, October 19 through Sunday, November 1, 2026. Open 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. every day, weekends included. Any registered Miami-Dade voter can vote at any early voting site in the county.
General Election
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls open 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. On Election Day, you vote at your assigned precinct. This is also the final deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot. See below.
Register to vote (passed)
Monday, October 5, 2026. This deadline has passed. Applications had to be postmarked or received by an official voter registration agency by this date to vote in the November general election.
Request a mail ballot (passed)
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. This deadline has passed. It was the last day to ask the Supervisor of Elections to mail you a ballot. If you didn't request one, you can still vote early or at your precinct on Election Day.
Return a mail ballot
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7:00 p.m. Your completed ballot must be in the hands of the Supervisor of Elections by the time polls close. A postmark is not enough. A ballot that arrives November 4 is not counted. A staffed drop box is available at every early voting site during early voting hours. On Election Day, you can bring it to the Supervisor of Elections main office (2700 NW 87th Avenue) or branch office (Stephen P. Clark Center lobby, 111 NW 1st Street) by 7:00 p.m. You can't drop it off at your precinct.
Already past: August 18 primary
Polls were open 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Early voting ran August 3–16, the voter registration deadline was July 20, and the deadline to request a mail ballot was August 6. Certified results are in the results section below.
What's on the ballot this year
Along with the races below, the November 3 ballot has three statewide constitutional amendments and seven countywide questions. See Ballot questions on Nov 3.
County Commission, even districts
Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 are up for election in 2026 under the charter's staggered schedule. Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 were last elected in 2024 and are next up in 2028.
District 1, special election
District 1 also appeared on the 2026 ballot in a special election to fill the remainder of the term, through November 2028, following Commissioner Oliver Gilbert's planned resignation effective January 3, 2027. Gilbert won the Democratic nomination for Congressional District 24 in the August 18 primary. Former School Board member Steve Gallon III qualified unopposed and was elected without a vote when qualifying closed June 9. He takes office January 3, 2027.
District 5, appointed vacancy
District 5 is also on the 2026 ballot to fill the remainder of a term that runs through November 2028. Commissioner Eileen Higgins resigned in 2025 after qualifying to run for mayor of the City of Miami, and the Board appointed Vicki L. Lopez to the seat in November 2025. The August 18 primary didn't produce a majority winner, so Lopez and Rob Piper meet in a runoff on the November 3 general election ballot. The winner takes office once the results are certified.
Miami-Dade County School Board
Five School Board seats are on the 2026 ballot: Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8, plus a vacancy election for District 1. Districts 2, 4, and 6 drew one candidate each, Monica Colucci won District 8 in August, and District 1 goes to a November 3 runoff between Katrina Wilson and Linda Cothiere. School Board races aren't covered in detail on this site yet; see the county's official candidate information for specifics.
Ballot questions on Nov 3
Every Miami-Dade voter's November 3 ballot has three Florida constitutional amendments and seven countywide questions. Each summary below is based on the official ballot language. Page numbers refer to the official master ballot.
Florida constitutional amendments (statewide)
A constitutional amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass (Florida Constitution, Article XI, Section 5(e)).
Amendment 1: Budget Stabilization Fund
Placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature (HJR 5019). Master ballot page 15.
What it does: The budget stabilization fund is money the state sets aside from its general revenue. This raises the most the fund can hold from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections. It requires the Legislature to move the lesser of $750 million or the amount needed to reach 25% into the fund each year, unless certain conditions are met, and lets the Legislature withdraw money for critical state needs.
A YES vote raises the limit to 25% and adds the yearly transfer and withdrawal rules.
A NO vote keeps the limit at 10% and the current rules for the fund.
If it passes: takes effect January 5, 2027, the Florida Constitution's default date, because the amendment sets no date of its own.
Amendment 2: Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation
Placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature (HJR 1215). Master ballot page 16.
What it does: Tangible personal property is physical property other than land and buildings. This exempts from property tax the tangible personal property that is usually kept on land classified as agricultural, is used to produce agricultural products or for agritourism, and is owned by the landowner or the person leasing the land.
A YES vote exempts that property from property tax.
A NO vote keeps that property taxed under current law.
If it passes: takes effect when approved and first applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
Amendment 3: Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments
Placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature (HJR 1F). Master ballot pages 17–18.
What it does: Raises the homestead exemption for all non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then adjusts it for inflation. Lets counties and cities raise it up to full assessed value, and special districts with voter approval. People who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026 get the current exemption first and the higher one starting in their fifth year of exemption, to the extent the U.S. Constitution allows. Lowers the yearly cap on assessment increases for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%. Limits county and city property tax spending to a listed set of purposes, with other spending allowed unless general law prohibits it.
A YES vote makes these changes to the homestead exemption, the assessment cap, and local property tax spending.
A NO vote keeps the current homestead exemption, the 10% cap, and the current rules on local property tax spending.
If it passes: takes effect January 1, 2027.
Miami-Dade countywide questions
Six County Referendum questions would amend the county's Home Rule Charter, and one School Board Referendum asks about a school property tax. Each one passes with a majority of the votes cast on it (Charter, Section 9.07(D) for charter amendments; Resolution R-440-26 for the School Board question).
County Referendum 1: Establish an Independent Salary Commission
Charter amendment. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution R-680-26). Master ballot page 19.
What it does: Replaces the fixed yearly salary for County Commissioners in the charter with a five-member Salary Commission. Its members would be appointed by the Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, the State Attorney, the Public Defender, the Executive Director of the Commission on Ethics, and the Inspector General. It would review and set Commissioner salaries each year using specific criteria, and the Board could not change its decisions.
A YES vote creates the Salary Commission to set Commissioner pay each year.
A NO vote keeps the fixed salary in the charter, currently $6,000 a year.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
County Referendum 2: Increase Length of District Residency to Run for County Commissioner
Charter amendment. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution R-681-26). Master ballot page 20.
What it does: Changes how long a candidate for County Commission must live in their district before the qualifying period starts, from at least six months to at least one year.
A YES vote sets the district residency requirement at one year.
A NO vote keeps the district residency requirement at six months.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
County Referendum 3: Allow Vacancy Election to Sync Up with Other Election; Establish Municipal Qualifying Standards
Charter amendment. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution R-682-26). Master ballot page 21.
What it does: When a Mayor or County Commissioner resigns to run for another office, lets the Board schedule the special election to fill that seat at the same time as another scheduled election. It also sets minimum standards for the qualifying periods of city candidates.
A YES vote gives the Board this scheduling option and sets the city qualifying standards.
A NO vote keeps the current charter rules on both.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
County Referendum 4: Revisions Due to Reestablishment of Elected County Constitutional Offices
Charter amendment. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution R-683-26). Master ballot page 22.
What it does: Updates the charter to reflect the elected Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections. It clarifies which finance and budget duties belong to the Clerk and which belong to the County, and requires County employees to take a leave of absence when running for an elected constitutional office.
A YES vote makes these three changes to the charter.
A NO vote keeps the current charter language on these topics.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
County Referendum 5: Miscellaneous Matters and Technical Changes
Charter amendment. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution R-684-26). Master ballot page 23.
What it does: Updates the names of certain County locations listed in the charter, allows more ways to give public notice and take public participation where state law allows, and makes numbering, gender, capitalization, and grammar consistent.
A YES vote makes these technical changes to the charter.
A NO vote keeps the current charter wording.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
County Referendum 6: Expanding Allowable Advertising at Parks
Charter amendment. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution R-685-26). Master ballot page 24.
What it does: In parks covered by Article 7 of the charter, advertising now has to be tied to sponsorship of events or facilities in the park. This removes that requirement. Advertising still could not unreasonably impair public use of the park or damage it, and any money it brings in would go only to the park system.
A YES vote removes the sponsorship requirement for advertising in these parks.
A NO vote keeps the sponsorship requirement.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
School Board Referendum: Renewal of Existing Ad Valorem Levy for Teachers, Instructional Personnel, Student Safety and Security
School Board property tax. Placed on the ballot by the Board of County Commissioners at the School Board's request (Resolution R-440-26). Master ballot page 25.
What it does: Keeps the existing 1-mill property tax ($1 for every $1,000 of taxable value) for school operations at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, including public charter schools. The money would continue improving pay for teachers and instructional staff and improve student safety and school security, with oversight by a Citizen Advisory Committee. It renews an existing tax and covers July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2031.
A YES vote continues the 1-mill tax from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2031.
A NO vote does not renew it. The current levy runs through June 30, 2027.
Vote needed: a majority of votes cast on the question.
Your city may also have its own questions on the ballot. Look up your personal sample ballot from the Supervisor of Elections, or see Cover Your City.
Primary election results
Eight Commission seats were on the 2026 ballot. Five were decided in June without a single vote cast, because only one candidate qualified in each race. The other three drew multiple candidates and went before voters on August 18. Figures below are the official results, certified by the Miami-Dade County Canvassing Board on August 25, 2026, as published by the Supervisor of Elections.
District 1 (Special Election)
Steve Gallon III elected unopposed; qualifying closed June 9.
District 2
Marleine Bastien re-elected with 78.29% (14,272 votes), a majority, so no runoff. Miguel "Skip" Quintero 12.89% (2,349), Ernst Jean Louis 8.83% (1,609).
District 4
Micky Steinberg re-elected unopposed; qualifying closed June 9.
District 5
No majority: runoff Nov. 3. Vicki L. Lopez 42.33% (7,064 votes) and Rob Piper 29.54% (4,929) advance; Joe Sanchez 28.13% (4,695) is eliminated.
District 6
Natalie Milian Orbis re-elected unopposed; qualifying closed June 9.
District 8
Danielle Cohen Higgins re-elected with 55.07% (10,294 votes), a majority, so no runoff. John Edward DuBois 28.15% (5,262), Martha "Vega" Hero 16.78% (3,136).
District 10
Anthony Rodriguez re-elected unopposed; qualifying closed June 9.
District 12
Juan Carlos "JC" Bermudez re-elected unopposed; qualifying closed June 9.
District 5 runoff, November 3, 2026
Result pending. Vicki L. Lopez and Rob Piper are on the November 3 ballot. We'll post the official Supervisor of Elections results here after the election.
Election tracker, office by office
When each Miami-Dade office is elected, how long the term is, and when it's next on the ballot.
Nonpartisan, 4-year term, 2-term limit. Elected 2020, re-elected August 2024. Next election: 2028. Term-limited: cannot run again in 2028.
Nonpartisan, 4-year term, 2-term limit. All six were decided in 2026, and the new terms begin November 17, 2026. Next election: 2030.
Nonpartisan, 4-year term, 2-term limit. Last regularly elected 2024. Next regular election: 2028. Districts 1 and 5 also had 2026 elections for the rest of their terms, through November 2028: District 1 because of Commissioner Gilbert's resignation effective January 3, 2027, and District 5 because of Commissioner Eileen Higgins's 2025 resignation. See above.
Partisan, 4-year terms. All elected or re-elected in 2024, took office January 2025. Next election: 2028. See the Constitutional Offices directory for current officeholders.
How to register and vote
Register to vote
Register online, by mail, or in person through the Supervisor of Elections. You must be a U.S. citizen, Florida resident, and at least 18 by Election Day.
Check your registration
Confirm you're registered, see your assigned precinct, and find your polling place.
Vote by mail
The deadline to request a mail ballot for November 3 passed at 5:00 p.m. on October 22. If you already have one, return it so the Supervisor of Elections has it in hand by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Mail it early, or drop it at the staffed drop box at any early voting site during early voting hours. A ballot that arrives after 7:00 p.m. does not count, whatever its postmark.
Vote early or in person
Early voting for November 3 runs Monday, October 19 through Sunday, November 1, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. every day, at any early voting site in the county. On Election Day, you vote at your assigned precinct.
Find your district first
Know which County Commission district you're in before you look up your candidates and sample ballot.
Who's on my ballot?
The Supervisor of Elections publishes a sample ballot for every precinct ahead of each election.
Sources & further reading
- Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections: 2026 Election Calendar
- Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections: early voting schedule for the November 3, 2026 General Election
- Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections: Vote by Mail (request deadline, return rules, drop boxes)
- Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections: official results, August 18, 2026 Primary Election
- Miami-Dade County Canvassing Board schedule, August 18, 2026 Primary Election (certification of official results)
- Florida Division of Elections: official results, August 18, 2026 Primary Election (Congressional District 24)
- Supervisor of Elections: 2026 District 1 vacancy election qualifying information and District 5 vacancy election qualifying information (terms through November 21, 2028)
- Miami-Dade County: Board of County Commissioners to discuss filling District 5 vacancy
- Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections: current candidates and qualifying status
- Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter (nonpartisan elections and term limits, Article 3)
- NBC 6: Levine Cava wins reelection as Miami-Dade Mayor, August 2024
- Community Newspapers: update on the Commission District 1 special election
- Local 10: Aug. 18, 2026 primary election results in Miami-Dade County
- WLRN: Five Miami-Dade County Commission races decided with no vote
- Florida Politics: Lopez, Piper advance to runoff for District 5