Six candidates have registered to run for three open seats in Palmetto Bay's Tuesday, November 3, 2026, general election. All three positions on the ballot will be vacant simultaneously, with no incumbent eligible to run.

Mayor Karyn Cunningham, Councilmember Patrick Fiore (Seat 1), and Councilmember Marsha Matson (Seat 3) have all hit their term limits and cannot seek reelection, according to Village Clerk Missy Arocha, who serves as Palmetto Bay's supervisor of elections.

Who's running

Mayor: David Singer (registered Feb. 21, 2025), Tamara Mourino (registered Dec. 12, 2025), and Karen Baez-Wallis (registered Jan. 27, 2026). A fourth registrant, John DuBois, withdrew his candidacy on June 18 to run instead against Miami-Dade District 8 County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins.

Seat 1 (Northern Area): Tana Llinas (registered Feb. 24, 2026) is the sole registrant so far. Under the Village Charter, Seat 1 candidates must live in Palmetto Bay's Northern Area.

Seat 3 (Southern Area): Albert James Lara (registered June 27, 2025) and Lasaly Changkachith (registered June 9, 2026). Seat 3 candidates must reside in the Southern Area.

Mayoral candidates face no residency-area restriction but must have lived continuously in the village for at least two years before qualifying.

Qualifying window

No candidate has officially qualified yet. "Please note that candidates are not qualified until the completion of the qualifying period which begins at noon on Aug. 3, 2026, and ends at noon Aug. 14, 2026," Arocha told Miami's Community Newspapers on Monday, July 14.

All qualifying documents and fees must be filed with the Office of the Village Clerk by noon on Friday, August 14. Additional candidates may still register and qualify before that deadline. Arocha noted that late entries have occurred in previous cycles.

Key dates for voters

  • Monday, October 5 — Deadline to register to vote
  • Thursday, October 22, by 5 p.m. — Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot
  • Tuesday, November 3 — General Election Day; results begin posting at 7:15 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 1 — Run-off election, if needed (triggered when no candidate clears 50% of ballots cast)

The Village contracts with the Miami-Dade County Elections Department to print ballots, provide voting equipment and poll workers, and tally results.

Residents can contact Arocha's office at 305-259-1234 or visit palmettobay-fl.gov for qualifying details and election updates.