By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The results of the first-ever fully mail-in ballot referendum in the history of the City of Coral Gables made history of another kind Tuesday evening, as voters approved moving the city’s elections to November for the first time in its more than 100 years of existence.

The election date change was approved by 5,678 voters, or a 2-to-1 margin – 66.04 percent of the 8,598 residents who cast ballots on the question – according to preliminary election results. In total, eight ballot questions were decided in the mail-in vote, which drew participation from just over 28 percent of the city’s 30,342 registered voters.

The election date change, the first and most high-profile question on the ballot, represents a significant victory for Mayor Vince Lago, who made the proposal a central issue of his platform over the past several years.

The results mean that, beginning this November, city elections will be held in the fall of even-numbered years, instead of April of odd-numbered years. It also means that Lago and his political rivals, Commissioner Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez, will all be up for reelection later this year.

Six of eight ballot measures approved

In addition to the election change, voters approved five other ballot measures while rejecting two.

A second ballot question reinforced the election shift by requiring any future change to the election date to be approved by referendum, rather than by a simple commission vote. More than 62 percent of voters (5,350) supported that measure. Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, and Commissioner Richard Lara attempted to move the election date by ordinance last year. That effort was abandoned in favor of a referendum after a similar move in the City of Miami was struck down in court.

One of the two measures rejected by voters would have amended the City Charter to allow individual commissioners or appointing officials to remove their appointees from boards or committees at will. Currently, removal requires a majority vote of the commission. More than 60 percent of voters chose to keep the existing system.

Voters did approve a charter amendment requiring the city to convene a Charter Review Committee every 10 years, beginning in 2035. While such committees have historically been formed roughly once a decade, the requirement had not been codified. More than 66 percent of voters supported making the review cycle mandatory. The commission had already passed an ordinance last year establishing the timeline and expanding the committee from five to seven members, which was also codified into the charter.

Controversial measures favor mayor

Two closely watched and heavily debated measures, both long supported by Lago, were also approved.

Voters authorized the city to contract with Miami-Dade County or another entity to provide inspector general services, as needed. The measure passed with 68.77 percent support (5,826 in favor, 2,646 opposed). Lago has repeatedly advocated for an inspector general to address concerns about inefficiency, fraud, waste, and abuse of power. The office would have the authority to issue subpoenas and compel the production of documents.

The measure receiving the highest level of support requires that any changes to compensation for elected officials be approved by voters. More than 77 percent (6,591 voters) backed the proposal, compared to 1,886 opposed. The issue has been contentious since 2024, when the commission approved salary and benefits increases as part of the budget process. Lago, Anderson, and Lara made the compensation issue central to their successful 2025 reelection campaigns, and voters reaffirmed their opposition to such increases through the charter amendment.

Runoff elimination proposal rejected

The most consequential measure to fail – and the one defeated by the widest margin – was a proposal to eliminate runoff elections in commission and mayoral races. Voters rejected the change by a 66.5 percent to 33.5 percent margin (5,624 against, 2,832 in favor).

Had it passed, candidates could have won elections without securing a majority of the vote in races with three or more contenders. Supporters argued that eliminating runoffs would reduce costs and avoid scheduling challenges, particularly during the busy holiday season following November elections.

Final measure approved

The final ballot question approved by voters requires the city to maintain a general fund reserve of at least 25 percent of its operating budget. It also mandates a four-fifths vote of the commission to amend the reserve policy or expend those funds, except in emergencies.

Nearly 63 percent of voters supported the measure, with 5,299 in favor and 3,118 opposed.