Mayor, commission seats up for grabs in Tuesday's municipal elections
MIAMI - In addition to Florida's Presidential Preference Primary Election on Tuesday, March 19th, voters in several communities will be going to the polls in municipal elections.
In Miami-Dade, South Miami is holding a special election dealing with leases for city property. Voters will decide if the city can authorize leases exceeding 50 years for city property involving City Hall redevelopment
In the Town of Surfside, residents will cast votes for a mayor. It's a rematch that pits current Mayor Shlomo Danzinger against former Mayor Charles Burkett. There's also a race for town commissioner in which 11 candidates are running.
In Broward, Pembroke Pines voters will elect a new mayor for the first time in 20 years. The current mayor, Frank Ortis, has served in that capacity since 2004. He helped manage the explosive growth that began in the 90s, propelling Pembroke Pines to the second-largest city in Broward. Three candidates are running for the city.
There are also two commission seats to be decided.
"We live in a country where it's important for you to exercise your opinion. If you don't, you're stuck with the opinion of others, so it's really important to make sure you're heard," said Adam Gordon who voted in Pembroke Pines.
"I think it is a good opportunity to get new candidates into the system because there are new challenges facing the community today that didn't exist 10-20 years ago," said Lucienn Tenn, a fellow voter.
Voters in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea will also be casting ballots for mayor. There are three people in the race. Residents will also be voting on two commission seats.
In Hillsboro Beach, three candidates are running for the town commissioner job.
In Sea Ranch Lakes, there are two referendums on the ballot. One would reduce the number of elected members on the village council from seven to five. The other deals with changing the number of votes needed during council meetings to adopt any resolution or ordinance.
The polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. throughout South Florida. Click here to find your polling location.
Click here to watch Voters Decide, our streaming special.