C'mon People, We Live in a Democracy Here

Note to registered voters in Miami Beach and Hialeah: go to the polls today. Please. On the beach, there's a runoff election for Mayor and for a city commission seat. In Hialeah, there's a runoff for a city council slot. But here's the thing: as low as voter turnout was...

By Tamara Lush

November 20, 2007

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Note to registered voters in Miami Beach and Hialeah: go to the polls today. Please.

On the beach, there's a runoff election for Mayor and for a city commission seat. In Hialeah, there's a runoff for a city council slot. But here's the thing: as low as voter turnout was on Election Day two weeks ago (25 percent in Miami Beach and 17 percent in Hialeah), it's expected to be worse today.

All of the races on tomorrow's ballots have been fairly contentious. In both Miami Beach contests, debate has centered around whether to purchase the Miami Heart Institute and develop the property. In Hialeah, the race between Cindy Miel and Isis Garcia-Martinez has caused quite a political rift involving Mayor Julio Robaina.

To get in the mood for voting, or to just have a laugh, check out this excellent photo essay of Hialeah campaigns courtesy of Riptide's own Calvin Godfrey. And for a wacky story on Miami Beach politics, read this on former Beach Mayor -- and bon vivant -- Alex Daoud.

--Tamara Lush

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