City of Miami residents can get a head start on who they want to run the city for the next four years, as early voting begins today, December 5, and runs until Dec. 7. The candidates, Emilio Gonzalez and Eileen Higgins, are looking to replace Mayor Francis Suarez, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.
Here is where you can vote this weekend:
- Carrie P. Meek Senior and Cultural Center: 1300 NW 50th Street
- City Hall: 3500 Pan American Drive
- Gerry Curtis Park Community Center: 1901 NW 24th Avenue
- Hispanic Branch Library: 1398 SW 1st Street #100
- Legion Memorial Park Community Center: 6447 NE 7th Avenue
- Shenandoah Branch Library: 2111 SW 19th Street
- West Flagler Branch Library: 5050 West Flagler Street
- Stephen P. Clark Center: 111 NW 1st Street
Both Gonzalez, who previously served as Miami’s city manager, and Higgins, a former Miami-Dade County Commissioner, cleared a 13-person field last month in the city's general election to force a runoff.
In that round, Higgins earned 36% of the vote, while Gonzalez collected 19%. However, both failed to cross the 50% threshold to win the race outright, triggering a second election.
While the race for mayor is technically non-partisan, Higgins is a Democrat, while Gonzalez is a Republican.
Will Higgins coalesce the Democratic base and increase her margin? Or will Gonzalez unite the GOP and come from behind?
Both have also earned several endorsements, with Higgins picking up one from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, while Gonzalez earned one from President Donald Trump.
Notably, Gonzalez was paramount in Miami having an election in the first place, as city leaders, including Mayor Francis Suarez, tried numerous times to cancel the election and move it to November 2026 without voter approval.
Originally, Miami Commissioners voted 3-2 to cancel the city's election, setting off a firestorm by Gonzalez to keep the election in place. A Florida appeals court rejected the City's final attempt to cancel the election and move it to next year back in July.
Therefore, Higgins might be particularly thankful if she secures the victory. On the other hand, Gonzalez is hoping his efforts pay off at the finish line.
The runoff election is Dec. 9.
