The measure allowed for more time to circulate recall petitions. It also allowed for votes on recall measures to be held on regular election days.
Here's the official ballot language: "Shall the Charter be amended to increase from 60 to 120 days the time allowed to circulate initiatory petitions, and to provide that elections to amend the Charter, either through initiatory petitions or by Board action, be held in conjunction with the next scheduled General Election rather than within 60 to 120 days, as currently required?”
Voters approved the measure 58-42 percent.
The purpose of extending the time to collect signatures is to make it easier to gather the required amount: 10 percent of registered voters. Placing charter questions on a general election ballot would likely draw more voters.
As we've noted in previous updates, wealthy businessman Norman Braman wrote an eight-point plan calling for reform to the recall process, and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez signed onto that plan when he campaigned in 2011.
But the ballot question didn't fully accomplish his goals, Braman told PolitiFact.
Groups or individuals collecting signatures for a recall still must get the signatures notarized and can only have one signature per page, said Braman, who orchestrated the recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez in 2011. Those are obstacles to the recall process — particularly for those who aren't wealthy, according to Braman.
"It's window dressing,” he said. "It's a very tiny step — not a material one.”
County spokeswoman Suzy Trutie confirmed that signatures require notarization and must be one per page.
A group or individual submitting signatures must pay 10 cents for each signature collected and submitted for validation by the Clerk's Office. (For more information see the county's charter.)
But the ballot measure's success isn't meaningless. That extra time will help Miami Voice collect signatures to place a question on the ballot about term limits in November. On Jan. 31, voters rejected term limits which were coupled with a massive salary increase for commissioners.
It's unclear when — if ever — another question will make it to the ballot to make the recall process easier, but the Jan. 31 vote was a first step. We rate this promise In the Works.