The Tuesday primary election isn\u2019t just a stop on the way to November. <\/p>\n
For thousands of residents in Miami-Dade and Broward, that day can directly determine who will make decisions about schools, transportation, taxes, housing, public safety, courts and services that affect daily life.<\/p>\n
The Florida primaries<\/a> will decide federal, state and local races, but many of the most important contests will be in the levels of government closest to voters: school boards, county commissions, city offices and the courts.<\/p>\n In some cases, the Aug. 18 election could decide the final winner.<\/p>\n What\u2019s on the ballot in Miami-Dade?<\/p>\n In Miami-Dade, voters will see a ballot that varies depending on their address and political affiliation.<\/p>\n Some of the biggest races include:<\/p>\n Miami-Dade Commission: decisions on transportation, housing and the budget<\/p>\n The County Commission is one of the institutions with the most direct impact on residents.<\/p>\n Its members make decisions related to:<\/p>\n County public transit.<\/p>\n The Miami-Dade budget.<\/p>\n Urban development.<\/p>\n Housing.<\/p>\n Infrastructure.<\/p>\n Regional services.<\/p>\n This year, three Commission districts are up for election:<\/p>\n District 2<\/p>\n Includes parts of the north and central areas of the county.<\/p>\n Running:<\/p>\n Marleine Bastien.<\/p>\n Ernst Jean Louis.<\/p>\n Miguel \u201cSkip\u201d Quintero.<\/p>\n District 5<\/p>\n Includes areas such as Downtown Miami, Brickell, Miami Beach and Little Havana.<\/p>\n Running:<\/p>\n Vicki L. Lopez.<\/p>\n Rob Piper.<\/p>\n Joe Sanchez.<\/p>\n District 8<\/p>\n Represents parts of southern and southwestern Miami-Dade, including areas such as Kendall and Palmetto Bay.<\/p>\n Running:<\/p>\n Danielle Cohen Higgins.<\/p>\n John Edward DuBois.<\/p>\n Martha \u201cVega\u201d Hero.<\/p>\n Miami-Dade School Board: an election that affects families<\/p>\n The School Board oversees the nation\u2019s fourth-largest school district, and its decisions affect:<\/p>\n Public schools.<\/p>\n School safety.<\/p>\n Student transportation.<\/p>\n Educational programs.<\/p>\n Administration of the school system.<\/p>\n One of the races is School Board District 1, which includes Miami Gardens and nearby areas, where several candidates are seeking to fill the seat left vacant after Steve Gallon III stepped down.<\/p>\n School Board District 8 is also on the ballot.<\/p>\n Miami will also vote on major changes<\/p>\n City of Miami residents will also have local questions on the ballot.<\/p>\n One asks whether municipal elections should move from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years to align with state or county elections starting in 2034 and 2036.<\/p>\n Another question is tied to a 40-year management agreement for the Miami Marine Stadium, including a possible public contribution to restore the facility.<\/p>\n