Op-Ed: It’s Time to Move Pembroke Pines Municipal Elections

Mike Hernandez
Mar 29
2 min read

This weekend, I shared an Op-Ed with the South Florida Sun Sentinel addressing an issue that strikes at the very heart of our local democracy: how and when we choose our city’s leaders. After much reflection and conversations with many of you at your doorsteps, I am officially calling for a move of Pembroke Pines municipal elections to the November general election cycle.

For too long, our city has held standalone elections in March. While this was a long-standing tradition, the reality of the 21st century is that this schedule is no longer serving the best interests of our residents. Here is why we need to make this change:

1. Maximizing Voter Participation In our most recent March election, we saw the passion of our community, but we also saw the limitations of an "off-cycle" date. When municipal elections are held in November alongside presidential or gubernatorial races, voter turnout is historically and significantly higher. Democracy works best when the greatest number of people participate. By moving our elections to November, we ensure that the leaders of Florida’s second-largest city are chosen by a true representative sample of our population.

2. Fiscal Responsibility As your Vice Mayor, I am committed to being a good steward of your tax dollars. Holding standalone elections in March comes with a significant price tag—costs for poll workers, equipment, and administration that the city bears alone. By aligning with the general election, we can share these costs with the county and state, saving our taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars every election cycle.

3. Focusing on the Issues

Some argue that local issues get "lost" in the noise of national politics in November. I disagree. I believe our residents are more than capable of navigating a ballot that includes both their choice for President and their choice for City Commission. In fact, a November election forces local candidates to work harder to reach a broader audience, ensuring that our platforms—from fighting the trash incinerator to reducing traffic congestion—are heard by everyone, not just a small subset of habitual voters.

The Path Forward Making this change isn't about politics; it’s about progress. It’s about making it easier for the working father, the busy student, and the senior citizen to be heard without having to make an extra trip to the polls in the middle of spring.

I am proud to serve as your Vice Mayor, and I am humbled by the trust you placed in me during my recent re-election. Now, I want to use that mandate to make our government more accessible and efficient.

It is time to move Pembroke Pines forward. It is time to move our elections to November.

Sincerely,

– Mike Hernández

Mike Hernandez proudly serves as the Vice Mayor of Pembroke Pines and Commissioner for District 4. He brings over two decades of experience in public service, education, media and public affairs.