Miami voters will decide two local ballot measures on Aug. 18, 2026. The first measure, Referendum 1, would move city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. The second measure, Referendum 2, would authorize the city to enter an agreement with Global Spectrum to renovate and manage the Miami Marine Stadium.

Here’s what to know about both measures.

Referendum 1

Referendum 1 would change general and runoff elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.

In 2025, the Miami City Commission passed an ordinance to move city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, which would have postponed the November 2025 election until November 2026.

A trial court ruled the ordinance unconstitutional, saying that the city cannot change municipal elections or terms of office without voter approval (the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter requires that charter amendments must be approved by voters). Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal upheld that decision, allowing the November 2025 election to proceed as scheduled. After the City Commission was unable to place a proposed election-year change on the November 2025 ballot, the measure was instead placed on the August 2026 ballot.

Odd-numbered-year elections are also referred to as off-cycle elections, while on-cycle elections are held at the same time as federal elections in November in even-numbered years. Generally, voter turnout is higher for on-cycle elections than off-cycle elections. For the city of Miami, the 2025 November mayoral election reported a voter turnout of 21.68% of registered voters; whereas the 2024 general election in Miami-Dade County reported a voter turnout of 72.41% (when looking at the turnout for the 133 precincts with Miami referendum questions on the ballot, turnout was 69.11%).

According to the Miami Herald, the majority of Miami-Dade cities hold elections in even-numbered years.

The amendment, if approved, would change the election years from odd-numbered to even-numbered starting in 2034 and 2036, reducing the terms of office for those elected in 2031 and 2033 to three years. The next elections for mayor and city commissioner would be held as scheduled in 2027 for Districts 1, 2, and 4; and in 2029 for mayor and Districts 3 and 5. Those winning these elections will serve four-year terms. Then, in 2031, the elections for Districts 1, 2, and 4 would occur; and in 2033, the elections for mayor and Districts 3 and 5. Those elected in these races would serve three-year terms. The switch to even-year elections would occur in 2034 for Districts 1, 2, and 4; and 2036 for mayor and Districts 3 and 5.

Referendum 2

Referendum 2, if approved by voters, would authorize the city to enter a 40-year agreement with Global Spectrum to manage events at the Miami Marine Stadium.

The Miami Marine Stadium, which is currently abandoned and not in use, is an outdoor music venue on the water. The venue hosted acts such as Jimmy Buffett, Queen, and the Beach Boys. After Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992, the venue was closed after being damaged and declared unsafe.

Referendum 2 would allow Global Spectrum—part of Oak View Group, a venue management company—to manage and renovate the venue. Under the proposal, the city would receive 93% of gross event sales, after deducting a $33,333 monthly management fee, and 85% of sponsorship revenue over the 40-year term. Global Spectrum would also contribute up to $10 million toward restoring the stadium.

Because the Marine Stadium is a city-owned waterfront property, the charter requires voter approval for leases and private management contracts that last longer than five years.

Don Worth, the co-founder of Restore Miami Marine Stadium, an organization supporting the referendum, said, “Why bring back Miami Marine Stadium? Once restored, it will be one of the truly iconic destination venues in the world, on par with the Hollywood Bowl, The Sphere in Las Vegas and Red Rocks in Colorado. Tourism is a pillar of Miami’s economy and the Marine Stadium will provide a bold, 'new' attraction that cannot be imitated.”