Florida 2021 local ballot measures

Florida Local Ballot Measures
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Ballotpedia covered a selection of local ballot measures in Florida on November 2, 2021, including one measure in Miami and eight measures in St. Petersburg. Voters in Miami defeated one charter amendment concerning a lease agreement between the city of Miami and Biscayne Marine Partners for waterfront development in Virginia Key. Voters in St. Petersburg defeated one tax exemption measure and five charter amendments and approved two charter amendments that were referred to the ballot by the Charter Review Commission, which meets to propose amendments to the charter every ten years.

In 2021, Ballotpedia covered local measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and all state capitals, including those outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia covered a selection of notable police-related and election-related measures outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia also covered all local measures in California and all statewide ballot measures. Click here to see the scope of Ballotpedia local ballot measure coverage by year.

November 2

Voters in Miami defeated one charter amendment concerning a lease agreement between the city of Miami and Biscayne Marine Partners for waterfront development in Virginia Key. Voters in St. Petersburg defeated one tax exemption measure and five charter amendments and approved two charter amendments that were referred to the ballot by the Charter Review Commission, which meets to propose amendments to the charter every ten years.

Miami-Dade County

See also: Miami-Dade County, Florida ballot measures

• Miami, Florida, Biscayne Marine Partners Waterfront Development Lease Charter Amendment (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported amending the Miami City Charter to allow the city commission, by a four-fifths vote, to waive competitive bidding and negotiate and execute a lease between the city and Biscayne Marine Partners, LLC, for 27 acres of city-owned property in Virginia Key (Rickenbacker Marina and Marine Stadium Marina) for 45 years with two additional 15-year renewal terms for development by Biscayne Marine Partners to construct a mixed-use waterfront marine campus including marinas, boatyards, ship stores, docks, restaurants, retail businesses, and fueling facilities.

A "no" vote opposed amending the Miami City Charter to allow the city commission, by a four-fifths vote, to waive competitive bidding and negotiate and execute a lease between the city and Biscayne Marine Partners, LLC, for development of 27 acres of city-owned property in Virginia Key.

Pinellas County

Voters in St. Petersburg defeated one tax exemption measure and five charter amendments and approved two charter amendments that were referred to the ballot by the Charter Review Commission, which meets to propose amendments to the charter every ten years.

See also: Pinellas County, Florida ballot measures

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 1, Limit City Council General Elections to Voters in the Council District (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported limiting voting in city council general elections to voters in the council district (the way city council primary elections are conducted).

A "no" vote opposed limiting voting in city council general elections to voters in the council district (the way city council primary elections are conducted), thereby continuing to allow all voters city-wide to vote in city council general elections.

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 2, Create New City Council Redistricting Process (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported creating a new city council redistricting process to occur every 10 years using "comprehensive standards for drawing equitable district boundaries" and that has requirements and restrictions on who may serve on the redistricting commission, which maps City Council would be required to adhere to.

A "no" vote opposed creating a new city council redistricting process, thereby maintaining the current process in which an advisory commission appointed by current council members make nonbinding map recommendations to the city council.

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 3, Create Chief Equity Officer and Establish City-Wide Equity Action Plan (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported creating a Chief Equity Officer for the City to address "equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, and other immutable characteristics" through a city-wide equity action plan.

A "no" vote opposed creating a Chief Equity Officer for the City to address "equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, and other immutable characteristics" through a city-wide equity action plan.

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 4, Charter-Protected Equity Funding to Address Racial and Ethnic Equity Gaps (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported creating "Charter-protected equity funding" to address "equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, and other immutable characteristics."

A "no" vote opposed creating "Charter-protected equity funding" to address "equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, and other immutable characteristics."

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 5, Requirements for City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Council Administrative Officer (November 2021):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adding a residency requirement for the City Administrator; clarifying that the City Clerk can only be removed from office with consent of both Mayor and the City Council, and giving the City Council Administrative Officer duties and protections similar to the City Clerk.

A "no" vote opposed adding a residency requirement for the City Administrator; clarifying that the City Clerk can only be removed from office with consent of both Mayor and the City Council, and giving the City Council Administrative Officer duties and protections similar to the City Clerk.

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 6, Change Charter Review Process and Resolve Scheduling Conflicts with City Redistricting Timeline (November 2021):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported resolving the scheduling conflict of the ten-year redistricting process and charter-review process occurring simultaneously and making other changes to the charter-review process.

A "no" vote opposed resolving the scheduling conflict of the ten-year redistricting process and charter-review process occurring simultaneously and making other changes to the charter-review process.

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Charter Amendment 7, Governing Philosophy and Aspirations Addition to Charter Preamble (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported adding a preamble to the city charter describing "the City’s vision, goals, values, and priorities while acknowledging past shortcomings and promising a renewed and continuing commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens."

A "no" vote opposed adding a preamble to the city charter describing "the City’s vision, goals, values, and priorities while acknowledging past shortcomings and promising a renewed and continuing commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens."

• St. Petersburg, Florida, Referendum Question 1, Authorize City Council to Grant Tax Exemptions to Businesses Expected to Create New Full-Time Jobs (November 2021):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported allowing the St. Petersburg City Council to give property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses expected to create new, full-time jobs in the city.

A "no" vote opposed allowing the St. Petersburg City Council to give property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses expected to create new, full-time jobs in the city.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Florida

Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Florida.

How to cast a vote in Florida

Poll times In Florida, all polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Florida is divided between the Eastern and Central time zones. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Registration Check your voter registration status here. To vote in Florida, one must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a legal resident of Florida and the county in which he or she intends to vote. Pre-registration is available beginning at 16 years of age. Voters may retrieve registration applications at the following locations: Local elections offices Public assistance agencies Disability services agencies Independent living centers Military recruitment offices Public libraries Drivers license office Tax collector's office The office of any entity authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue fishing, hunting, or trapping permits A registration form is also available online. The form can be printed and submitted via mail. Click here to find your county Supervisor of Elections. Automatic registration Florida does not practice automatic voter registration. Online registration See also: Online voter registration Florida has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Voters may also apply for or modify their voter registration status while renewing their driver's license through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ online renewal system here. Same-day registration Florida does not allow same-day voter registration. Residency requirements To register to vote in Florida, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible. Verification of citizenship See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States Florida does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, "it is a 3rd degree felony to submit false information." All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters. Verifying your registration The page Voter Information Lookup, run by the Florida Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. Voter ID requirements Florida requires voters to present photo identification with a signature while voting. The following list of accepted ID was current as of July 2024. Click here for the Florida Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information. Florida driver’s license Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles United States passport Debit or credit card Military identification Student identification Retirement center identification Neighborhood association identification Public assistance identification Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06 Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the federal government, the state, a county, or a municipality A voter who presents an ID without a signature must show a second form of identification that includes the voter’s signature.

Additional elections

See also: Florida elections, 2021

Miami

November 2, 2021

• City elections in Miami, Florida (2021)

See also

• Local ballot measure elections in 2021
• Local charter amendments on the ballot