The City of Margate entered an agreement with the Broward
County Supervisor of Elections for the election scheduled on November 3, 2026
which authorizes the county’s elections office to manage key components of the
city’s voting process, including the selection, training, assignment, and
payment of poll workers.
Under the resolution, Broward County Supervisor of
Elections Joe Scott, a constitutional officer under Florida law, will carry out
election services in accordance with state statutes that govern federal, state,
county, and municipal elections. The agreement formalizes the city’s delegation
of authority for conducting the election while preserving the city’s
responsibility for election-related costs.
The agreement outlines the Supervisor’s role in managing
election operations. That includes designating polling locations, hiring and
training poll workers, using county voting systems, and administering
vote-by-mail procedures in compliance with Florida law. While the county
handles logistics, Margate remains financially responsible for the full cost of
its municipal election, as required by state law and the local election act
that establishes uniform filing and election dates across Broward County.
Financial impact varies depending on whether the city
places ballot questions before voters. According to the cost estimate attached
to the agreement, the cost for a candidate-only municipal election held in
conjunction with a county, state, or federal election is zero dollars. However,
if ballot questions are added, the city would pay $2.79 per registered voter,
with an additional charge for extra ballot pages. City records show the
projected fiscal impact for ballot questions with one extra page would total
$106,172.22. If no ballot question appears on the November 2026 ballot, the
cost to the city is expected to be zero.
The agreement also addresses municipal obligations.
Margate must provide accurate ballot language in English, Spanish, and Creole,
ensure legal sufficiency of its materials, and reimburse the Supervisor for any
additional costs, including recounts or legal expenses connected to the
election. The city must also pay all invoiced election fees within 30 days of
receiving a final invoice.
Liability protections are also spelled out. Both parties
retain sovereign immunity protections as defined under Florida Statutes, and
liability is limited pursuant to Section 768.28 of state law. The term of the
agreement runs from full execution until 60 days after certification of
election results and completion of any required post-election audit.
For taxpayers, the importance of this agreement lies in
both cost control and accountability. Elections are one of the most fundamental
services local government provides, yet they carry real financial implications.
By partnering with the county’s elections office, Margate avoids duplicating
infrastructure, equipment, and staffing systems that are already in place at
the county level. That shared structure can reduce administrative overhead
while maintaining compliance with complex state election laws.
At the same time, taxpayers ultimately fund the election.
If ballot questions are placed on the November 2026 ballot, residents should
understand that each additional page and each registered voter increases the
total cost borne by the city. Transparent cost estimates allow residents to see
how policy decisions translate into budget impacts.