The local political landscape is buzzing as qualifying periods begin and candidate lists take shape. From veteran community mentors to fresh faces, the race to represent South Florida’s vibrant neighborhoods is officially on.
Miami Gardens: The Race for 2026 Begins
The City of Miami Gardens has officially closed its qualifying period for the upcoming General Election on August 18, 2026. With three pivotal seats on the line, the ballot features a mix of familiar advocates and new challengers.
Who Qualified:
- Residential Area Seat 2: Lavern V. Deer, Linnette Smith, and Paul V. Wilson, Jr.
- Residential Area Seat 4: Mykita Cherry-Prime, Rod Mack, and Angela Maria Wynter.
- At-Large Seat 6: Erhabor Ighodaro and Incumbent Robert Stephens.
City of West Park: November Outlook
While Miami Gardens heads to the polls in August, the City of West Park is looking further ahead to the General Election on November 3, 2026.
Key Dates to Watch:
- Open Seats: Commissioner Seat 1 and Commissioner Seat 2.
- Qualifying Period: Monday, June 8, 2026 (Noon) – Friday, June 12, 2026 (Noon).
Potential candidates must have resided within West Park for at least one year prior to filing. Qualifying packets are currently available at the City Clerk’s Office located at City Hall (1965 South State Road 7).
A handful of other municipalities, including Hillsboro Beach, Lazy Lake, and Lighthouse Point, have already seen their March 2026 races resolved with unopposed candidates, while Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill remain focused on their March 10th contests. From the district-based races in Pompano Beach and Hollywood to the at-large mayoral seats in Plantation and Tamarac, the 2026-2027 calendar represents a pivotal moment for local governance across these diverse precincts.
Stay Informed
Any eligible Florida resident can register to vote or update their information online through the Florida Department of State at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, the central hub for voters across all 67 counties.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and watch our weekly LIVE podcast news show every Thursday at 5:30pm. Subscribe to our YouTube page to get alerts for the show.
Do you have news to share? If so, send Hy-Lo News your story ideas by clicking HERE.
0 comments on “Local Elections Round-Up: Miami Gardens and West Park Gear Up for 2026”