R7L - Expand Early Voting, Reserve Voter Parking

Resolutions - R7 L

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Office of the City Clerk recommends that the adoption of the attached Resolution accepting the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) to expand to four Early Voting sites during the 2025 Run-Off Election, if necessary, and to implement, in coordination with the Parking Department, voter parking accommodations at the G7 Short Term City Hall Parking Garage.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On November 5, 2024, Miami Beach voters approved a Charter amendment rescheduling the City’s Run-Off Election to the second Tuesday in December, resulting in a Run-Off Election scheduled for December 9, 2025. The Early Voting period, as set by Section 38-6 of the City Code, will occur from Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 7, 2025.

This Early Voting period coincides with Art Basel (December 3–7, 2025), which significantly increases traffic and parking congestion in the vicinity of City Hall – one of the City’s designated Early Voting sites. Concerns over voter accessibility prompted the City Commission, at its February 3, 2025 meeting, to refer the issue to the PSNQLC.

Following an extensive evaluation of alternate facilities and coordination with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections, the PSNQLC discussed the item on March 12 and April 9, 2025. At the conclusion of its April 9 meeting, the Committee unanimously recommended the adoption of a Resolution formalizing its recommendations.

ANALYSIS

The proposed Early Voting expansion for the Run-Off Election, if necessary, includes two new locations in addition to the existing two, thereby improving geographic access for residents in North Beach, Mid-Beach, and South Beach. The four sites, with addresses and regional breakdowns, are as follows:

South Beach: 1. Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive 2. South Shore Community Center, 833 6th Street

Mid-Beach:

3. Muss Park, 4300 Chase Avenue

North Beach:

4. North Shore Branch Library, 7501 Collins Avenue

The addition of the South Shore Community Center as a second South Beach location, and Muss Park as a Mid-Beach site, addresses concerns about Art Basel congestion by offering residents additional options and reducing dependence on the City Hall voting site.

To further support voter accessibility, the City Clerk has worked with the Parking Department, which has confirmed that short-term parking spaces in the G7 Short Term City Hall Parking Garage will be reserved for voters during the three-day Early Voting period. The Art Basel valet service will be adjusted accordingly to ensure that voter access is prioritized.

The Supervisor of Elections has approved the City’s request to expand Early Voting to four sites during the Run-Off Election, if necessary.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The estimated additional cost to add two Early Voting sites for the 2025 Run-Off Election (if necessary) is $70,700.00.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Elections Account: 011-9502-000312-90-400-579-00-00-00.

CONCLUSION

Approval of the attached Resolution will:

• • •

Endorse the addition of two new Early Voting sites for the 2025 Run-Off Election, if necessary. Improve voter accessibility throughout the City. Prioritize parking for voters at the G7 Short term City Hall Parking Garage.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

City Clerk

Sponsor(s)

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Expand To 4 Early Voting Sites, Prioritize Voter Parking At City Hall Garage – ‘25 Run-Off Election. CC

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)