Here are the Miami Herald Editorial Board’s recommendations for Nov. 2 elections
Election day is Tuesday, Nov 2, but many voters are already casting mail-in ballots and taking advantage of early voting, which varies from city to city.
There’s a lot at stake in some of Miami-Dade County’s largest municipalities — voters are electing mayors and commissioners, and deciding on important ballot questions. In our neighboring counties of Broward and Palm Beach, voters will decide who should replace the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. It’s a lot of information, which is why the Miami Herald is committed to helping you make sense of it all.
Editorial Board members interviewed candidates in races for Miami Beach and Miami, as well as representatives on other issues voters will see on the ballot. This year, the Editorial Board incorporated readers’ questions into their candidate interviews.
Here are our choices:
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, DISTRICT 20
MIAMI BEACH CITY COMMISSIONER, GROUP I
MIAMI BEACH CITY COMMISSIONER, GROUP III
MIAMI BEACH MAYOR
MIAMI BEACH BALLOT MEASURES
- Straw Ballot Question 1 (2 a.m. alcohol cutoff): YES
Straw Ballot Question 2 (homeless tax): YES
Referendum 1 (Holocaust Memorial Site): YES
Referendum 2 (Smith and Wollensky): YES
MIAMI MAYOR
MIAMI COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3
MIAMI COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5
CITY OF MIAMI BALLOT MEASURE
Want more context on this ballot question? Read this story.
- Referendum 1 (Virginia Key marina): No
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the political endorsements?
In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process look like?
The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.
Is the Editorial Board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.
This story was originally published October 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM.