No this is a Republican initiative all over the state to make local elections politicalluy motivated. They know more Republicans vote in key elections and both parties can then spend $$$ on vote cards telling their members how to vote. It’s politicizing local elections. The “savings” aren’t worth it. $200k is nothing to be unique, local, and not high budget elecctions.
NO, local elections should remain local and informed citizens who really do care about our city will always come out to vote, as they have for 100 years.
Back in the 980’s this issue was raised – not for the first time either. At that time I spoke with former Mayor Bob Knight and then City Attorney, Bob Zahner on the topic. They both felt April in odd years was right for Coral Gables, as for other municipalities such as Miami Shores, Surfside, and others who also hold their elections in off years in April. Why? Because these communities have an influx of people who are temporary, seasonal residents, or students (UM) who while permitted to vote while in residence, in national elections while they’re here, don’t bother with the municipal elections in off years. Nor should they, as they don’t really have a stake in the governance of our city. They don’t pay taxes here. Their opinion was that moving elections to coincide with the national elections, people will vote on name recognition with little or no knowledge of the politics and issues facing the community for it’s permanent residents. George Merrick had good reason for setting it up this way in our founding charter 100 years ago. We should leave well enough alone. It’s only going to result in candidates who have the financial backing to allow them to compete in a field of highly funded candidates when the field is already filled with big money politicians.
absolutely not. this will simply favor the big money special interest controlled candidates. You will see all the developers, PAC’s and special interest groups pour massive money only to benefit themselves and their cronies. With the amount of money that will be thrown to pro development candidates that will not care one bit about the actual interests of Coral Gable residents, these candidates will be bought way more easily than the are now by changing our elections to November. Be warned Gables residents, this change will benefit a few very rich group of people and not at all what our beautiful city’s residents interests are.
Why fix something that is working well? Moving elections to November would eliminate the running of badly needed good candidates that don’t have the resources or financial backing of wealthy PACs and large corporations/developers. Those candidates have a fair chance of winning in local election cycles.
As a Coral Gables resident for the past 58 years and a registered voter for the past 53 years, I heartily agree with all the “No Votes” in the Comments section for the various reasons listed.
Absolutely against this! I take a lot of pride voting in an independent Coral Gables election! I have lived in Coral Gables since 1991 (except six years living out of state) and have always voted. Mixing this up with a National Election will water down the local issues and promote partisan voting for candidates. We’ve already had enough of developer financial support with a very Republican slant toward financial gain in The City Beautiful with overdevelopment. Let’s get back to the important things for residents, not big money influencers!
No. The elections should not get caught up with state and national issues. It should remain a local issue. If people cared they would vote whatever the date is, especially since absentee/mail voting is so simple now.
April elections have worked for 100 years, solely focused on the local issues of our city. I’ve lived here for 35 years and have voted in every single election. The weak arguments about people potentially traveling during spring break are negated by the options of early voting and mail-in voting.
Our city is too important to have our ballot items shoved onto the end of a national election ballot! Just because more voters turn out for national elections doesn’t mean more informed voters are voting on our Coral Gables issues. Quantity is never better than quality.
Campaigning during national elections would make it cost prohibitive for candidates who aren’t back by PACs and special interests. Don’t we already have enough of that in Coral Gables?
They should stay in April like they have always been. Some elected officials think they can change things just because they think it is best….not what the residents have wanted for years. I think the City of Coral Gables elected officials are looking more and more like City of Miami…..not good!!!!!
If the vote is changed to November, the Gables will be an afterthought lost among the state and national elections. Everyone that wants to vote in the Gables election is easily able to do so especially with mail-in/absentee voting so readily available. The additional cost is negligible for keeping the election all about our City.
after living here in CG for the past 40 years and having moved here from NYC and the Connecticut ,both heavy blue states with super high taxes and crime i say YES …..WE CANNOT ALLOW THE DESINTEGRATION OF OUR CITY AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO CT. AND NY. AND OTHERS AND ALMOST HAPPENED HERE WITH THE TWO ..FAKES ELECTED TWO YEARS AGO CASTRO AND FERNANDEZ .
No, for all the good reasons mentioned above. Let’s concentrate on getting people to educate themselves and vote in the odd years, and not get lost in the partisan strum-und-drang of presidential elections.
This Post Has 22 Comments
YES TO NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.
Personally, I feel it should be in November.
No this is a Republican initiative all over the state to make local elections politicalluy motivated. They know more Republicans vote in key elections and both parties can then spend $$$ on vote cards telling their members how to vote. It’s politicizing local elections. The “savings” aren’t worth it. $200k is nothing to be unique, local, and not high budget elecctions.
Yes to November. Makes more sense
NO, local elections should remain local and informed citizens who really do care about our city will always come out to vote, as they have for 100 years.
Agree with you . Stay as is
Back in the 980’s this issue was raised – not for the first time either. At that time I spoke with former Mayor Bob Knight and then City Attorney, Bob Zahner on the topic. They both felt April in odd years was right for Coral Gables, as for other municipalities such as Miami Shores, Surfside, and others who also hold their elections in off years in April. Why? Because these communities have an influx of people who are temporary, seasonal residents, or students (UM) who while permitted to vote while in residence, in national elections while they’re here, don’t bother with the municipal elections in off years. Nor should they, as they don’t really have a stake in the governance of our city. They don’t pay taxes here. Their opinion was that moving elections to coincide with the national elections, people will vote on name recognition with little or no knowledge of the politics and issues facing the community for it’s permanent residents. George Merrick had good reason for setting it up this way in our founding charter 100 years ago. We should leave well enough alone. It’s only going to result in candidates who have the financial backing to allow them to compete in a field of highly funded candidates when the field is already filled with big money politicians.
absolutely not. this will simply favor the big money special interest controlled candidates. You will see all the developers, PAC’s and special interest groups pour massive money only to benefit themselves and their cronies. With the amount of money that will be thrown to pro development candidates that will not care one bit about the actual interests of Coral Gable residents, these candidates will be bought way more easily than the are now by changing our elections to November. Be warned Gables residents, this change will benefit a few very rich group of people and not at all what our beautiful city’s residents interests are.
Why fix something that is working well? Moving elections to November would eliminate the running of badly needed good candidates that don’t have the resources or financial backing of wealthy PACs and large corporations/developers. Those candidates have a fair chance of winning in local election cycles.
Yes to November. Makes more sense
As a Coral Gables resident for the past 58 years and a registered voter for the past 53 years, I heartily agree with all the “No Votes” in the Comments section for the various reasons listed.
yes to November election. We save money and we get more participation.
No. Too much other drama in November
Absolutely against this! I take a lot of pride voting in an independent Coral Gables election! I have lived in Coral Gables since 1991 (except six years living out of state) and have always voted. Mixing this up with a National Election will water down the local issues and promote partisan voting for candidates. We’ve already had enough of developer financial support with a very Republican slant toward financial gain in The City Beautiful with overdevelopment. Let’s get back to the important things for residents, not big money influencers!
No. The elections should not get caught up with state and national issues. It should remain a local issue. If people cared they would vote whatever the date is, especially since absentee/mail voting is so simple now.
April elections have worked for 100 years, solely focused on the local issues of our city. I’ve lived here for 35 years and have voted in every single election. The weak arguments about people potentially traveling during spring break are negated by the options of early voting and mail-in voting.
Our city is too important to have our ballot items shoved onto the end of a national election ballot! Just because more voters turn out for national elections doesn’t mean more informed voters are voting on our Coral Gables issues. Quantity is never better than quality.
Campaigning during national elections would make it cost prohibitive for candidates who aren’t back by PACs and special interests. Don’t we already have enough of that in Coral Gables?
They should stay in April like they have always been. Some elected officials think they can change things just because they think it is best….not what the residents have wanted for years. I think the City of Coral Gables elected officials are looking more and more like City of Miami…..not good!!!!!
If the vote is changed to November, the Gables will be an afterthought lost among the state and national elections. Everyone that wants to vote in the Gables election is easily able to do so especially with mail-in/absentee voting so readily available. The additional cost is negligible for keeping the election all about our City.
Make it easier for people to vote.
after living here in CG for the past 40 years and having moved here from NYC and the Connecticut ,both heavy blue states with super high taxes and crime i say YES …..WE CANNOT ALLOW THE DESINTEGRATION OF OUR CITY AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO CT. AND NY. AND OTHERS AND ALMOST HAPPENED HERE WITH THE TWO ..FAKES ELECTED TWO YEARS AGO CASTRO AND FERNANDEZ .
YES
No, for all the good reasons mentioned above. Let’s concentrate on getting people to educate themselves and vote in the odd years, and not get lost in the partisan strum-und-drang of presidential elections.