Many South Florida voters are heading to the polls this Tuesday, even though residents in other communities aren’t casting ballots until months from now, in November.
Voters in cities and towns across Broward and Palm Beach counties may have municipal elections either on March 10 or Nov. 3, depending on where they live.
So what difference does an election date make? Here are the pros and cons behind each election season.
November elections
Of the Broward cities holding contested municipal elections in 2026, only Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill voters may go to the polls on March 10. Lauderhill also will have November elections.
There are 19 Palm Beach County municipalities holding elections on March 10.
Municipalities individually codify election times in their city charters, and county supervisors of elections administer them.
The Broward supervisor of elections allows general municipal elections on either the second Tuesday in March of any year or the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years.
“For us here in the elections office, we are neutral, and we support whatever the cities want,” Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said. “Having an issue on the ballot in November, having more people look at it, inspires them to do their research. It’s a pretty relevant thing, how many people are seeing your issues versus people who are actually engaged.”
November municipal elections generally have a higher voter turnout. Broward’s November 2024 general election, which included over a dozen municipal elections, saw a turnout of 64.88%; other Broward municipalities’ March 2024 elections only saw a turnout of 13.99%. In March 2025, turnout dropped to 9.69%.
Until 2004, all Broward cities, towns, and villages held March elections. Joann Hussey, communications director for the city of Hollywood, cited lower costs and higher turnout as key reasons for the city’s switch.
As of this year, Broward’s cities and towns can hold candidate-only municipal elections concurrently with county, state, and federal elections free of charge. Municipal elections with ballot questions or March dates pay rate-based fees determined by voter counts and additional ballot pages.
March elections
Supporters of March elections say that despite a potential lower turnout, there are merits to separating municipal elections from federal and state ones.
“Municipal government is closest to residents’ daily lives, responsible for public safety and infrastructure improvements. Holding our elections separately from state and federal races ensures those issues receive the focused attention they deserve,” Kathleen Joy, director of communications for West Palm Beach, told the Sun Sentinel.
Boca Raton communications director Anne Marie Connolly said because Palm Beach County municipalities generally hold March elections, they may share costs and responsibilities like poll worker recruitment and precinct operations administered through the supervisor of elections.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those voting on March 10.
In Broward, voting will take place in Lauderhill and Pembroke Pines.
Voting in Palm Beach County will happen in Boynton Beach, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Royal Palm Beach, South Palm Beach, Wellington, and West Palm Beach.