Herald endorsement: Coral Gables Referendum 4 | Opinion

By the Miami Herald Editorial Board

Updated April 17, 2026 6:05 PM

Carts full of Vote-by-Mail Ballots are loaded onto a USPS truck at the Miami-Dade's Supervisor of Elections Office in Doral, Florida on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The ballots will be delivered to voters for the upcoming City of Coral Gables elections. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

Editorial Board’s endorsements for Coral Gables election

Coral Gables registered voters will receive mail ballots for eight referendums April 21. Read the Miami Herald Editorial Board’s recommendations on each measure.

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Here is the Herald Editorial Board’s recommendation on Coral Gables’ Referendum 4:

Question: Should the city charter be amended to require a Charter Review Committee to meet every 10 years, starting in 2035? The committee would review the charter and offer potential amendment recommendations. Committee membership would increase from five to seven with appointments made by commissioners, the city manager and city attorney.

Recommendation: YES

The Charter Review Committee already exists, but this amendment would enshrine into the city charter the commission’s vote last year to increase the number of committee members. The measure would also create a specific timeline for the committee to meet.

Coral Gables’ charter is the city’s foundational legal document, and it operates like a rulebook for city operations.

A Charter Review Committee ensures a consistent transparent process to consider if updates are needed and make recommendations for possible improvements. Amendment 4 is a common sense approach to good governance.

The Coral Gables special election is April 21. It is a mail-ballot-only election. All registered voters will receive ballots in the mail. Ballots must be received by the elections office by 7 p.m. on April 21.

BEHIND THE STORY

Who 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 March 31, 2026 at 1:59 PM.