A vacancy is opening in Miami‑Dade County Commission District 5. The County Charter provides two pathways when seats open: the Board can appoint someone for a short, interim period, or call a special election so voters choose. We believe the democratic option is clear: Let D5 voters decide. 

An appointment now would only be temporary and could create an unfair “appointment incumbency” advantage at the next regular election. A special election gives District 5 a real mandate, restores public trust, and avoids duplicative processes. 

We’ve seen how quickly trust erodes when elections are delayed, canceled, or sidestepped. Across Miami‑Dade, residents have voiced strong objections to shortcuts in our democracy. The best way to keep faith with voters is simple: hold an election and let the people choose. 

What we’re asking the Board to do: - Adopt a Special‑Election Resolution acknowledging the vacancy and setting a clear, accessible calendar with Vote‑By‑Mail, Early Voting, and Election Day. - Proposed dates for planning purposes (subject to Board adoption): - Election Day: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - Early Voting: January 14–18, 2026 (five days) - Runoff (if needed): Tuesday, February 17, 2026 

Why this matters to District 5: 

- Legitimacy: A voter‑decided mandate strengthens our next commissioner’s ability to lead. 

- Fairness: No insider advantage from interim appointments. 

- Clarity & Access: A posted calendar, five Early Voting days, and full Vote‑By‑Mail access make participation easy for busy families, seniors, and workers. 

Call to action: Commissioners, please choose the democratic path and call a special election for District 5. Let us vote.