If the words “charter amendment” make your eyes glaze over, this one’s for you. Here’s what voters are being asked to approve — or reject — on Nov. 3.
A $450 million public-safety bond. A long-term lease of public waterfront on Virginia Key. Changes to county government. And a proposed overhaul of Florida’s property tax system.
Those are among the decisions Miami voters will make Nov. 3, when they head to the polls for the general election.
And if the wording of some ballot questions seems designed to test your patience, you’re not alone.
To help readers make sense of the choices, the Coconut Grove Spotlight has divided its 2026 voter guide into three parts: ballot questions, judicial elections and candidates for public office.
We’re starting with the issues closest to home and working outward, rather than following the order of the ballot.
The Spotlight does not endorse candidates or ballot measures. Our goal is to explain what voters are being asked to decide.
City of Miami Referendums
Three measures will appear on ballots cast by voters who live within Miami city limits.
City Referendum 1: $450 million Public Safety Bond
Authorizes Miami to borrow $450 million through general obligation bonds to renovate, modernize and construct police and fire-rescue facilities. The measure says the borrowing would not increase the city’s current debt millage rate for capital projects. It also requires an independent annual audit. The bonds would be repaid over time using property tax revenue.
Read more: Miami Voters Will Decide on $450 Million Loan as City Faces Debts and Deficits
Read more: As City Seeks $450 Million in New Bonds, an Old Project Offers a Lesson
Read more: Commission Sends $450 Million Public Safety Bond to November Ballot
City Referendum 2: Permanent Bond Oversight Committee
Amends Miami’s charter to establish a permanent advisory committee responsible for monitoring general obligation bond projects. The committee would publicly report on project costs, schedules, progress and remaining funds.
Read more: City Staff Withheld Budget Report Ahead of Key Vote
Read more: Zombie Boards: The Life — and Death — of Miami’s Citizen Oversight
City Referendum 3: Virginia Key Marina Redevelopment
Authorizes Miami to lease approximately 27.6 acres of publicly owned waterfront on Virginia Key to Virginia Key LLC for redevelopment of the Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas. The initial lease would last 45 years, with two possible 15-year extensions — potentially 75 years in all. The proposal calls for approximately $80 million in private investment, initial annual base rent of $2.2 million and additional payments to the city equal to 6% of defined gross revenues.
Read more: Virginia Key: A Great Deal or a Public Giveaway?
Read more: Judge Tosses Virginia Key Marina Referendum Lawsuit
Miami-Dade County Referendums
Six proposed amendments to Miami-Dade County’s Home Rule Charter appear on the ballot.
County Referendum 1: Who Sets County Commissioners’ Salaries?
Creates an independent five-member salary commission to review and set county commissioners’ salaries annually. County commissioners would not be able to change the salary commission’s decisions.
County Referendum 2: Residency Requirements for Commissioners
Increases the length of time County Commission candidates must live in their districts before the start of the qualifying period, from six months to one year.
County Referendum 3: Special Elections and Candidate Qualifications
Allows certain special elections to fill vacancies created when a county mayor or commissioner resigns to seek another office to be scheduled alongside other elections. It also establishes minimum requirements for municipal candidate qualifying periods.
County Referendum 4: Elected County Constitutional Officers
Updates the county charter to reflect the independently elected offices of sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser and supervisor of elections. It also clarifies financial and budget responsibilities between the county and clerk and requires county employees seeking constitutional office to take a leave of absence.
County Referendum 5: Technical Charter Changes
Updates place names, grammar, numbering and capitalization in the county charter. It also permits additional methods of public notice and participation when authorized by state law.
County Referendum 6: Advertising in County Parks
Expands permitted advertising in county parks by removing the requirement that advertisements be connected to sponsorship of park events or facilities. Advertising could not unreasonably interfere with public use or damage parks. Revenue would be reserved for the park system.
Miami-Dade School Board Referendum
Renewing the School Operating Tax
Renews an existing property tax of one mill — $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value — for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, including public charter schools. The tax would continue from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. Revenue would fund teacher and instructional personnel compensation, student safety and school security, with oversight by a citizen advisory committee.
Read more: A $15K Pay Cut? Miami Teachers Fear School Tax Vote
Florida Constitutional Amendments
Three proposed amendments to Florida’s Constitution appear on the statewide ballot. Unlike the local referendums, each constitutional amendment requires at least 60% voter approval to pass.
Amendment 1: State Budget Reserves
Increases the maximum size of Florida’s budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections. It also requires annual transfers of up to $750 million, or the amount needed to reach the new limit, whichever is less, subject to specified conditions.
Amendment 2: Tax Exemption for Agricultural Equipment
Exempts certain equipment and other tangible personal property used in agriculture or agritourism from property taxes beginning in 2027. Eligible property must be located on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder.
Amendment 3: Property Taxes and Homestead Exemptions
Increases the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with subsequent inflation adjustments. It also reduces the annual assessment-growth cap on non-homestead properties from 10% to 5% and establishes additional rules governing local property taxation.
Read more: Elected Officials Back Tax Cuts While Spending Big
Read more: Shorter Hours, Fewer Services: Proposed Tax Cuts Loom Large for Libraries
Before You Vote
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Polls: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early voting: Oct. 19 through Nov. 1.
Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Oct. 22.
Voters can review the county’s official sample ballot and check their personalized ballot and polling location through the Miami-Dade County Elections Department.
Coming Thursday: Part 2 of our voter guide looks at the judges on your ballot — including two contested judicial races and six retention votes.
Coming next Monday: Part 3 looks at the candidates running for county, state and federal office — starting with the races closest to home.
Thank you to the Coconut Grove Spotlight for helping residents understand the important issues on the November ballot.
For those who would like to learn more, One Grove Alliance is hosting a Civic Update on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove. The program will include a nonpartisan explanation of the ballot amendments and referendums by the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade, along with updates on zoning, development, City governance, and opportunities for residents to get involved.
We hope Grove residents will join us for an informative evening and an opportunity to connect with neighborhood and civic leaders. OneGroveAlliance.org/events
Marlene Erven
Board Member
One Grove Alliance