By Coral Gables Gazette staff

After months of insisting they had the authority to move Coral Gables elections from April to November without a public vote, a commission majority voted this week to schedule a special mail-only referendum on April 21, 2026 to let residents decide the issue.

Mayor Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara — who in May approved an ordinance to shift elections to November — framed the decision as a way to give voters “the final say.” At the same time, they loaded the prospective ballot with several additional charter measures that they have long championed, seeking to turn what had been a political setback into an opportunity to advance other priorities.

A conditional vote tied to Miami’s case

The referendum would only occur if the City of Miami loses its ongoing appeal of a similar ordinance that was struck down earlier this summer. Miami’s ordinance had postponed its November 2025 elections to 2026, effectively extending current commissioners’ and the mayor’s terms by an extra year. In July, the Third District Court of Appeal ruled that move unconstitutional. Miami has since asked the appellate court for a rehearing and could then petition the Florida Supreme Court if denied.

Lago, who sponsored the referendum measure, described Coral Gables’ action as a “trigger” to ensure the city is ready if Miami’s appeal fails. If Miami prevails, Coral Gables would revert to the ordinance the commission already passed, moving elections to November without voter approval.

The April 2026 referendum would be conducted entirely by mail, meaning every eligible voter will receive a ballot by post. Residents are being urged to check that their voter registration information is current to avoid missing the election.

Among the items Mayor Lago asked to add to the April 2026 ballot was a measure prohibiting any future election date change by ordinance. “It should always go to the voters. This is a prime example,” he said — even as he and his allies remain on record supporting the ordinance they adopted in May.

Castro pushes back on timing

Commissioner Melissa Castro, who has consistently pressed for a referendum, voted against the April 2026 timeline. She argued for holding the public vote in April 2027 instead. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, also in favor of a referendum, was absent from this week’s meeting.

“This is a complete victory but not for me,” Castro said after the vote. “For the people of Coral Gables.”

Castro presented a slide deck showing that an April 2026 mail-only election would be more costly than waiting until April 2027, citing additional printing and mailing expenses. Lago disputed that conclusion, contending that long-term savings of about $200,000 would come from eliminating April elections altogether once November cycles were in place.

“Adding extra questions to a costly, unconventional election is a burden on taxpayers,” Castro said. “If the goal is really to save money by moving elections, this is the opposite of that.”

Additional ballot items

Beyond the election date question, the commission voted to include other governance measures on the conditional 2026 ballot:

• Establishing an Inspector General’s office, which Lago characterized as even more important than the election change. The measure would ask voters whether to contract with Miami-Dade County or a private firm to provide inspector general services. Such offices have authority to conduct independent audits and investigations. Commissioners had initially approved putting this question before voters during a special election on Nov. 3, 2026.
• Requiring the city’s Charter Review Committee to convene every 10 years.
• Mandating that any future commission salary increase be subject to voter approval.

Long-running debate

The debate over election timing has roiled Coral Gables politics for more than a year. Proponents of November elections argue that aligning with county-run contests would increase turnout and reduce costs, while critics warn that city issues will be drowned out on longer, partisan ballots. More than 20 other municipalities across Miami-Dade have already moved their elections to November.

A Gazette poll in June revealed a sharp divide among residents, with many echoing concerns raised in public comments this week. “Although I can see the financial benefits of a November election, it’s important to let residents decide. That’s what democracy is about,” said a woman who addressed the commission via Zoom, though her name was inaudible.

Lara has framed the move as fulfilling a campaign promise. “My clear platform was to move elections to November. Promises made, promises delivered,” he said in May, though the timeline may now be delayed. Lago has also cited what he described as clear feedback from voters during his campaign. “I walked thousands of homes,” he said earlier this year. “The feedback was clear — people wanted this change.”

Mayor calls for better city outreach

With eight months until the potential April 2026 mail-in vote, city officials must now draft ballot language and plan voter outreach. Lago noted that outreach should begin well in advance, pointing to criticism of the city’s preparation before last year’s Little Gables annexation referendum.

Whether Coral Gables voters will ultimately weigh in depends first on Miami’s court case. Until then, the city remains caught between its ordinance on the books and the prospect of a mail-only referendum that could reshape how — and when — future city elections are decided.