As South Florida voters head to the polls this Tuesday, the timing of these municipal elections raises questions about their impact and significance. While some residents will wait until November to cast their votes, others in Broward and Palm Beach counties are already making their voices heard.
Depending on their location, voters in these counties may participate in municipal elections on March 10 or November 3. This variability in election timing presents both advantages and disadvantages.
November Elections
In 2026, most Broward cities with contested municipal elections will hold them in November, except for Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill, which will vote on March 10. Lauderhill is also scheduled for November elections.
Nineteen Palm Beach County municipalities will hold elections on March 10. Each municipality determines its election schedule as per its city charter, with county supervisors overseeing the process.
In Broward, general municipal elections can occur on the second Tuesday in March or the first Tuesday in November during even-numbered years. Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott commented, “For us here in the elections office, we are neutral, and we support whatever the cities want. Having an issue on the ballot in November, having more people look at it, inspires them to do their research. It’s a pretty relevant thing, how many people are seeing your issues versus people who are actually engaged.”
Historically, November municipal elections yield higher voter turnout. For instance, the November 2024 general election in Broward recorded a turnout of 64.88%, contrasting starkly with the March 2024 turnout of 13.99%, which further declined to 9.69% in March 2025.
Before 2004, all Broward municipalities held elections in March. Joann Hussey, Hollywood’s communications director, indicated that the shift was due to lower costs and increased turnout. Today, Broward municipalities can coordinate candidate-only elections with county, state, and federal elections at no cost. However, elections with ballot questions or scheduled in March incur fees based on voter numbers and ballot length.
March Elections
Despite possibly lower voter participation, advocates of March elections argue that separating municipal elections from larger state and federal races brings distinct benefits.
“Municipal government is closest to residents’ daily lives, responsible for public safety and infrastructure improvements. Holding our elections separately from state and federal races ensures those issues receive the focused attention they deserve,” stated Kathleen Joy, West Palm Beach’s communications director.
Anne Marie Connolly, Boca Raton’s communications director, noted that Palm Beach County’s preference for March elections enables municipalities to share costs and resources, such as poll worker recruitment and precinct management, through the supervisor of elections.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 10 in Broward’s Lauderhill and Pembroke Pines, as well as in numerous Palm Beach County locations including Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, among others.
