November 3 Local Elections: What’s on Your Ballot? A Complete Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens Guide

As we approach the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, it is vital to be fully informed about the critical decisions that will shape our state, county, and local communities. Below is a comprehensive guide to the constitutional amendments, countywide referendums, and municipal questions that will appear on local ballots.

Be prepared for Election Day! Your local guide to what is on the ballot. Photo: MiamiSprings.com

Every ballot contains several critical measures. For your convenience, here is a complete breakdown of each local ballot item, presented in English only, with choices appearing as they will be displayed at the polls.

Federal and State Candidate Races

Below are the candidates for federal, statewide, and cabinet offices that cover the Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens voting districts. Representative races for other districts (outside District 26) are excluded from this guide.

United States Senator (Vote for 1)

• Ashley Moody (REP)
• Angie Nixon (DEM)
• Neil J. Gillespie (NPA)

Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for 1)

• Byron Donalds / Bryan Avila (REP)
• David Jolly / Gwen Graham (DEM)
• Scott Eckhard Jewett / Nicole Skelly (LPF)
• Charles Burkett / Ruben A. Coto (NPA)
• Frank J. Russo / Rachel Rodriguez (NPA)
• Moliere “Moe” Dimanche / Benjiman Rojas (NPA)
• Dean Ocean Abrams / Joe Van Vactor (NPA)

Representative in Congress – District 26 (Vote for 1)

Note: This is the U.S. Congressional District representing both Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens.

• Mario Diaz-Balart (REP)
• Nicole Locklin (DEM)
• Deborah Ann Meidinger Hosey (NPA)

Attorney General (Vote for 1)

• James Uthmeier (REP)
• Jose Javier Rodriguez (DEM)

Chief Financial Officer (Vote for 1)

• Blaise Ingoglia (REP)
• Annette Taddeo (DEM)

Commissioner of Agriculture (Vote for 1)

• Wilton Simpson (REP)
• Joey Mendoza Atkins (DEM)

Miami-Dade Countywide Ballot Questions

These questions are state constitutional amendments and countywide referendums that will appear on every local voter’s ballot in Miami-Dade County.

State Amendment No. 1: Budget Stabilization Fund

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require the legislature to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to reach 25% of the general revenue collections each year unless certain conditions are met, and allow the legislature to withdraw funds for critical state needs.

• Yes
• No

State Amendment No. 2: Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to exempt tangible personal property habitually located or typically present on land classified as agricultural, used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities, and owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land from ad valorem taxation. If approved this amendment would first apply for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

• Yes
• No

State Amendment No. 3: Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments

This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same. Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution.

• Yes
• No

County Referendum 1: Charter Amendment Establish an Independent Salary Commission

Shall the Charter be amended to replace the fixed annual salary for County Commissioners with an independent, five-member Salary Commission—appointed by the Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, State Attorney, Public Defender, Executive Director of the Commission on Ethics, and Inspector General—that annually reviews and sets Commissioner salaries based on specific criteria, with all decisions being final without modification by the Board of County Commissioners?

• Yes
• No

County Referendum 2: Charter Amendment Increase Length of District Residency to Run for County Commissioner

Shall the Charter be amended to change the residency requirement for Commission members, increasing the minimum time a candidate must reside within their district from six months to one year before the start of the qualifying period?

• Yes
• No

County Referendum 3: Charter Amendment Allow Vacancy Election to Sync Up with Other Election; Establish Municipal Qualifying Standards

Shall the Charter be amended to allow the Board to align the timing of special elections to fill vacancies in the offices of Mayor or County Commissioner with other scheduled elections when such vacancies are caused by resignations to run for other offices, and to establish minimum standards for municipal candidate qualifying periods?

• Yes
• No

County Referendum 4: Charter Amendment Revisions Due to Reestablishment of Elected County Constitutional Offices

Shall the Home Rule Charter be amended to make certain changes that (1) address the reestablishment of the elected County Constitutional Offices of Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections, (2) clarify the respective duties of Clerk and County with respect to finance and budget, and (3) require County employees to take leave of absence when running for an elected constitutional office?

• Yes
• No

County Referendum 5: Charter Amendment Miscellaneous Matters and Technical Changes

Shall the Home Rule Charter be amended to make certain technical changes, including updating certain listed County locations to current name, allowing for additional methods of public notice and participation when otherwise allowed by state law, and ensuring consistent stylistic conventions for numbering, gender, capitalization, and grammar?

• Yes
• No

County Referendum 6: Charter Amendment Expanding Allowable Advertising at Parks

Shall the Charter be amended to expand permissible advertising in parks subject to Article 7 of the Charter by removing the requirement that advertising in those parks must be related to sponsorship of events or facilities in the parks, provided that such advertising does not unreasonably impair the public use of the park or damage the park and any revenue generated be for the exclusive use of the park system?

• Yes
• No

School Board Referendum: Referendum Renewal of Existing Ad Valorem Levy for Teachers, Instructional Personnel, Student Safety and Security

Shall the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, maintain the existing one (1) mill ad valorem tax levy exclusively for school operational purposes at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, including public charter schools, to continue improving compensation for teachers and instructional personnel and to improve student safety and school security with oversight by a Citizen Advisory Committee beginning July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2031?

• Yes
• No

Miami Springs Special Election Ballot

Note: This section includes the City of Miami Springs city-wide charter amendment from the general ballot.

Miami Springs Charter Amendment: Revitalizing the Northwest 36 Street District

The Charter provides that buildings that include more than 2 residential dwelling units shall not exceed 3 stories and a maximum of 40 feet in height. To revitalize and attract investment to the Northwest 36 Street District, it is proposed to exempt buildings with residential units located east of East Drive in the District from the Charter’s restriction, subject to current zoning height limitations. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Yes
• No

Village of Virginia Gardens Municipal Ballot

These local races represent the municipal choices for residents of the Village of Virginia Gardens.

Virginia Gardens – Mayor (Vote for 1)

• Tim Boylan
• Fred Spencer Deno IV

Virginia Gardens – Council (Vote for up to 3)

• Jorge Arce
• Elizabeth K. Taylor-Martinez
• Michael Tur

Make your voice heard on Tuesday, November 3, 2026! Be sure to share this election guide with your neighbors so everyone is ready on Election Day.