Whether you vote early or vote on election day, there’s an important referendum on the ballot that every Miami Springs voter should know. Right now, Miami Springs residents have the right to vote every two years to replace the mayor and members on the city council. However, the City of Miami Springs is asking you you extend their term from 2 years to 4 years.
Miami Springs is special. And one of the things that makes Miami Springs special is that our elected officials can be held accountable every 2 years. Miami Springs politicians do not need 4 year terms to be more effective. Right now, you have the right to re-elect or replace politicians every 2 years. This has served our community extremely well for decades.
Heck, the United States Constitution gave members of the United States House of Representatives only two years to serve. That was back when they traveled via horse and buggy and didn’t even have telephones. Whereas our Council members don’t have to travel to join a meeting. In fact, they don’t even have to show up in person. They can even join by Zoom.
Honestly, we see no benefit to giving our politicians 4 year terms. Rather, we see a threat where a politician can let us down and just sit in place for 4 years. Why would Miami Springs residents give up their right to vote every two years?
Ultimately, the City of Miami Springs is asking you to give up your right to vote every two years for the Mayor and each City Council Member. We believe this is wrong.
We strongly recommend that residents VOTE NO to four year staggered terms and preserve your right to vote every two years.
In fact, this has come up before. Back in August 14, 2012, the City of Miami Springs held a special election to amend the City Charter to change the terms of office for all Council members, excluding Mayor, from 2 to 4 year terms. The residents of Miami Springs overwhelmingly voted NO. We’re talking 1,180 NO votes to 678 YES votes. That was 64% of the Miami Springs voters clearly stating they were not in favor of extending the terms of the Council Members.
Why would residents vote to lose their existing rights? Right now, residents of Miami Springs have the right to either re-elect or vote out any member on the City Council every two years. A two year term is the same term length as members of the United States House of Representatives.
A two year term gives Miami Springs residents the ability to hold council members accountable on critical matters. By in large, incumbents have generally received a vote of confidence and have been re-elected. However, there have been many times where residents have been able to vote out a sitting council member shortly after a controversial issue. In other words, you don’t have to wait four years to vote against a council member you don’t like.
Who benefits from four year terms?
The politicians obviously benefit as they don’t have to run for re-election as often. It benefits any political cronies who get in tight with the elected power structure.
Strongly Disagree
Back in 2012, the residents of Miami Springs said they did not want to lose their right to hold the City Council accountable every two years. Why would the residents of 2024 all of a sudden want to lose their right to hold Council Members accountable every two years?
Furthermore, our system of elections every two years has worked well for the Miami Springs residents for decades. Why change it?
Again, who gains and loses if we change the terms from 2 years to 4 years? The residents lose their power to hold officials accountable. The politicos gain more power. I don’t know about you, but I like keeping the residents rights to hold our city officials accountable.
Once you lose this right, you won’t get it back.
Below is what the Miami Springs referendum will read on the ballot. Now it’s up to you to decide the future of Miami Springs.
MIAMI SPRINGS REFERENDUM
Four-Year Staggered Terms of Office and November Elections
The City Charter provides that the Mayor and Council are all elected for two-year terms at general municipal elections held in April of odd-numbered years. The proposed Charter amendment provides for a transition to four-year, staggered terms for Mayor and Council with elections to be held in November of even-numbered years. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
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- YES
- NO – MiamiSprings.com recommends a NO VOTE…Here’s why:
