Miami-Dade Election Set for May 24; Fate of Charter Amendments Uncertain

The election to fill the mayor's seat in Miami-Dade County has been set for May 24, but it's unclear which, if any, charter amendments will appear on the ballot.

Miami-Dade commissioners opened a narrow window for candidates to file: noon Monday to 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Already, several candidates have been actively campaigning to succeed recalled Mayor Carlos Alvarez. Among them: Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez and former state Rep. Marcelo Llorente.

A commission seat also opened when Natacha Seijas was ousted in a recall election along with Alvarez last month. Gimenez's position would be up for grabs as well if, as expected, he files to run for mayor,

The fate of a slate of proposed charter amendments is also up in the air as commissioners continue to debate their ballot placement.

Among the reforms supported by recall organizer Norman Braman: limiting commissioners' terms to 12 years; reducing the number of commissioners from 13 to 9, with two being elected at-large; precluding commissioners from outside employment during their terms and from lobbying activities for a reasonable time after their terms end; and allowing charter reforms to be placed directly on the ballot by the public.