Cutler Bay will fill three seats on its Town Council on Tuesday, Nov. 3, including an open mayor's race, after term limits forced out two incumbents. The two-week candidate qualifying window opened at noon Thursday, July 23, and closes at noon Thursday, Aug. 6.

Three seats are on the ballot: mayor, Council Seat 1 and Council Seat 3. Mayor Tim Meerbott and Councilmember Robert "BJ" Duncan (Seat 1) are both termed out and cannot run again. Councilmember Richard M. Ramirez, who holds Seat 3 and serves as the Town Council's liaison to the Youth Council Committee, is eligible to seek re-election.

The open mayor's seat and Duncan's departure from Seat 1 guarantee fresh faces on the dais. Winners will serve four-year terms under the Town Charter.

How to qualify

Prospective candidates must file paperwork in person at the Office of the Town Clerk, 10720 Caribbean Blvd., Suite 105, Cutler Bay. The Town Clerk's office published the full requirements on the town's website.

Required documents include proof of voter registration, a notarized Affidavit of Candidacy and Residency with a driver's license, Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (Form DS-DE 9), Statement of Candidate (Form DS-DE 84), Oath of Candidate (Form DS-DE 302NP-E) and a Form 1 Statement of Financial Interests filed electronically.

Fees are paid from the candidate's campaign account:

  • Mayor: $100 qualifying fee plus a $218.80 state election assessment (1% of the $21,880.08 annual salary)
  • Council Seat 1 or Seat 3: $100 qualifying fee plus a $109.40 state assessment (1% of the $10,939.56 annual salary)

Residency rules

Candidates for Council Seat 1 or Seat 3 must have lived continuously in their respective residential district for at least one year before the qualifying date. Mayoral candidates face no district residency requirement. All three seats are voted on town-wide regardless of where the candidate lives.

What's next

No candidates had filed as of noon Thursday, July 23, when the window opened. The Town Clerk's office accepts filings Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at 305-234-4262 or [email protected].

The hard deadline is noon on Thursday, Aug. 6. After that, the ballot is set for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

Upcoming dates:

  • Thursday, Aug. 6 — Qualifying period closes at noon
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Cutler Bay General Election