RE: MiamiBeach may not be into politics, but we do cover issues that make it onto the ballot. This year there are two mandatory referendums on an extension of the Holocaust memorial and the extension of the lease for Smith and Wollensky’s in South Pointe Park, as well as two non-binding straw election questions including a city-wide sales and consumption ban at 2 a.m. and a 1% tax on the homeless and domestic violence. We take a look at each one below.
A couple of notes: RE: MiamiBeach has asked various neighborhood and other associations for their positions on the campaign. If you have specified a position, this is included. If they have chosen not to take a position, if they have not responded or have not yet taken a position, they will not be mentioned.
This guide will be updated as new information becomes available. So check back again. And if you know of a position that is not included, please send an email to [email protected] along with a contact from the organization so we can take it up.
Important information
Early voting: Monday October 18th to Sunday October 31st
Where: Miami Beach City Hall and North Shore Branch Library
Deadline for applying for postal voting: Saturday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for postal voting requests to be accepted by the Miami-Dade County Electoral Board. Note: This is the receipt of the request, not a deadline on the postmark.
Deadline for acceptance of the ballot papers: Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. is the deadline by which the Miami-Dade County Electoral Authority must receive a completed ballot slip in the mail. Again, this is the receipt, not the postmark. If filed on Election Day, they can be found at either the Miami-Dade County Elections Department’s main office at 2700 NW 87th Avenue in Miami or the Voter Information Center in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center at 111 NW 1st. be handed in street in Miami.
Ballot papers can be mailed through the US Postal Service or at the early voting locations listed above, or at the Election Department or the Stephen P. Clark Center at the addresses listed above.
Election day: Tuesday November 2nd. The polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To verify your constituency, call the Miami-Dade County Electoral Department at 305.499 [8683] or 305.499.8480 (TTY) or visit their website at www.iamelectionready.org and select “Vote on Election Day”.
These are the highlights of important information. Please visit www.votemiamibeach.com for complete information
Election campaigns in 2021
2021 Miami Beach Referendum 1: Do you allow the Holocaust Memorial to be expanded?
Modification of the lease would provide the opportunity to build a new learning center
This question relates to the expansion of the Holocaust Memorial on Dade Boulevard and Meridian Avenue. The memorial is on city-owned land that was leased to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation until 2099. The Federation operates and maintains the property under the lease agreement. This voting question asks whether the city should extend the lease by 21 years and add an adjacent above-ground parking lot for the construction of a small learning center. Read more here.
2021 Miami Beach Referendum 2: Smith and Wollensky extend lease for South Pointe Park?
Restaurant lease expires in 2025, extension until 2045
This question relates to the lease for Smith and Wollensky, who operate a waterfront restaurant on a city property in South Pointe Park. The current lease expires in November 2025. The extension, which runs until 2045 if approved, includes certain requirements for restaurant upgrades, guaranteed rents and the installation of a parking security gate. Read more here.
2021 Miami Beach Straw Ballot Question 1: Reset alcohol sales / consumption time?
Non-binding question asks 5 a.m. or 2 a.m.?
Non-binding straw survey on the end of alcohol sales and consumption across the city. The aim of the straw poll is to seek the opinion of voters to reduce opening hours from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. so that the mayor and commissioners can determine policy changes based on the results. Originally the question only related to the city’s South Beach Entertainment District (MXE), but after concerns were raised about an earlier shutdown that pushed the party to other areas, including residential neighborhoods, commissioners decided to ask for a city-wide rollback . Read more here.
2021 Miami Beach Straw Ballot Question 2: Charge 1% Tax for Homeless Services / Domestic Violence Centers?
A non-binding question asks whether the city should ask the state to allow certain foods and beverages to be picked up
Non-binding straw poll to get voter opinion on whether the city should ask state lawmakers to allow Miami-Dade County to impose a 1% homeless and domestic violence tax on food and drink served in certain facilities be consumed on site. Miami Beach is one of three communities that are exempt from tax because they apply city tax on these purchases. Read more here.
Image above, courtesy of the City of Miami Beach
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