By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The Coral Gables City Commission voted Jan. 27 to place a proposed City Charter amendment before voters in a special mail-ballot election on April 21, asking whether the city should eliminate runoff elections in mayoral and commission races.
If approved, the amendment would allow candidates to be elected by plurality vote — the most votes — even if no candidate receives a majority in the general election.
City officials said the proposal reflects recommendations from the Charter Review Committee and ongoing concerns about the cost, timing and low participation associated with runoff elections.
City attorney introduces proposed special election
City Attorney Cristina M. Suárez formally presented the item.
The resolution calls for a special election in April to submit to voters a proposed City Charter amendment eliminating runoff elections in city commission and mayoral races, while providing for a mail ballot, notice, inclusion in the charter, and related matters.
Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Throckmorton then outlined the background.
She noted the Charter Review Committee recommended that the question be put before voters and reminded commissioners that residents approved runoff elections in 2016.
Since then, she said, at least one runoff has occurred in each of the last five municipal elections.
“This proposal would strike the runoff from the City Charter and instead would return to what we had before 2016, which was that the candidate receiving the plurality of votes — even though it may not be the majority — is the one who is elected,” Throckmorton said.
Mayor frames measure as discussion
Mayor Vince Lago said he brought the item forward to reflect the Charter Review Committee’s recommendations and to hear the will of the commission.
“This is simple. I just want this to be the will of the commission,” Lago said. “Not that I’m saying I’m in favor or I’m against. I wanted to bring it forward. I think it’s an opportunity to have a conversation.”
Lago also raised whether residents were already being asked to weigh too many referendum questions.
Vice mayor points to low turnout and rising costs
Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson voiced strong support for eliminating runoff elections.
“Well this was an item that I was considering adding because one, I think it makes sense because very few people show up for a runoff election and we’re spending a considerable amount of money on a runoff election,” Anderson said. In last April’s municipal general election, voter turnout reached 29.62 percent, compared with 23.14 percent in the subsequent runoff.
She also highlighted timing issues, particularly if elections move to November.
“If the election is moved to November, you’re talking about a December election,” she said, adding that holidays and travel make turnout difficult.
Anderson said April elections already struggle with participation due to spring break travel and supported giving voters the chance to decide the issue in the special election.
Commissioners echo timing concerns
Commissioner Ariel Fernandez agreed that the discussion should happen now.
“If we are giving voters an opportunity to change election dates, this is the time to have this discussion as well,” Fernandez said.
He noted that runoff elections could fall near Christmas or Hanukkah if general elections are held in November.
Commissioner Richard Lara also supported eliminating runoffs and placing the question before voters.
Referencing prior advocacy for shifting elections away from April, Lara said spring break and holidays had long created obstacles to participation.
“That being said, I’m in support of the ultimate vote eliminating the runoff,” Lara said, adding that he supported sending the issue to the ballot now.
Clerk clarifies runoff change would apply regardless of election date
Before public comment, City Clerk Billy Urquia emphasized that eliminating runoff elections would apply even if municipal election dates remain in April.
“There’s a scenario where this item passes but elections do not get moved to November,” Urquia said. “We would not have runoff elections on April 8th.”
Resident questions mail-only election format
During public comment, City Hall fixture Maria Cruz said she supported eliminating runoff elections but opposed holding the special election exclusively by mail.
“I have absolutely no issue with eliminating the runoff,” Cruz said, “but I still feel that if in fact we want to know what people think, it should not be mail only.”
Resolution cites repeated runoffs and six-figure cost
The resolution supporting the ballot question noted that voters approved runoff elections in 2016 and that at least one runoff has taken place in each of the last five municipal elections.
It also stated that the city spent approximately $125,000 on the 2025 runoff election, including advertising.
If approved by voters, the amendment would allow candidates to be elected by plurality vote and would eliminate runoffs regardless of when general municipal elections are held.
Commission approves measure unanimously among those present
Following discussion and public comment, Lara moved the resolution and Anderson seconded it.
The commission approved the measure unanimously among those present.
Anderson, Fernandez, Lara, and Mayor Lago voted in favor.
Commissioner Melissa Castro was absent.
This Post Has One Comment
There are some facts that were omitted from the Commission discussion. First, over 69% (almost 16,000 votes) voted in favor of runoff elections. Second, that vote was on November 8, 2016, when we could vote in person either by early voting at the Coral Gables Library or at your precinct on voting day or by drop-off ballot at the library or by mail-in ballot and it only costs $20,000 rather than $120,000 for the vote-by-mail ballot. At the April 26, 2016 Commission meeting, Lago seconded the unanimously approved motion to have the referendum in November rather than vote-by-mail because (per Lago) “It gives us an opportunity to save close to $100,000.” Now that he has become Mayor, saving the City money is not important?!? Third, at the April 12, 2016 Commission meeting, Lago seconded and the Commission unanimously approved putting runoff elections on the referendum despite the additional cost of $100,000 for a runoff election. Fourth, we have had majority voting (rather than plurality voting) for 73 years – it is the typical way we elect officials. Finally, as to voting in April rather than November, Lago stated that he had an issue with November voting because “people are going to be exhausted when they get to the end in this ballot”, and “It’s important to have it — to have the ballot be freestanding Coral Gables issues.” He also stated that “I’m with you” to Chair Valdes-Fauli’s comments about the Charter Review Committee unanimously wanting to “have the Coral Gables election separate from the presidential or senatorial or gubernatorial elections because people would focus on Coral Gables issues.” Read the transcripts from the April 12 and 26, 2016 Commission meetings. Has Lago changed his position to benefit himself and his incumbency advantage rather than Coral Gables?!? I think so.