Municipal Election Candidate Information

2024 Municipal Election

The following City Commission seats will be open for re-election November 5, 2024:

  • Seat 1: Candidates must reside north of the Lehman Causeway.
    Currently held by Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks
  • Seat 3: Candidates must reside south of the Lehman Causeway.
    Currently held by Commissioner Billy Joel
  • Seat 5: Candidates may run at large with no regard to Residential Area.
    Currently held by Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland

Become a Candidate

To become a candidate for the November 5, 2024 election, the following documents must be filed with the Aventura City Clerk PRIOR to opening a campaign account, receiving contributions, or making any expenditures:

  1. DS-DE 9 (PDF)  Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates - must be filed prior to opening the campaign account and prior to accepting contributions or making expenditures on the person’s behalf.
    A candidate may be his or her own campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer.

    Your campaign depository must be a bank, savings and loan association or credit union authorized to do business in the State of Florida. The account may be entitled “(Name of Candidate) Campaign Account.” This account must be separate from any personal or business accounts. All monetary contributions received must be deposited in the campaign account within five business days of receipt. Only the campaign treasurer or the deputy campaign treasurer may sign campaign expenditure checks.

  2. DS-DE 84 (PDF)  Statement of Candidate - must be filed within 10 days of filing of DS-DE 9. This form states that the candidate has been provided access to read and understand the requirements of Chapter 106, F.S.

  3. Access to the candidate and campaign treasurer handbook and the election laws of the state of Florida (PDF) document.

Kindly schedule an appointment with the City Clerk by email or calling 305-466-8901.

After filing the appropriate paperwork with the City Clerk, candidates may then open a campaign account and begin to accept contributions and make expenditures.

Qualify to Be Placed on the Ballot

Candidates must qualify to run during the period August 12-16, 2024 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by providing the applicable items to the City Clerk. Please keep in mind that all candidates will be filing their paperwork during this time. As such, please schedule an appointment with the City Clerk by calling (305) 466-8901 or emailing us to ensure that your paperwork can be received and reviewed for completeness, in time for qualifying.

Documents that Must Be Submitted

The following documents must be submitted at that time:

  1. DS-DE 9 (PDF) Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates - if not already on file
  2. DS-DE 84 (PDF) Statement of Candidate - if not already on file
  3. Access to the Candidate and Campaign Treasurer Handbook and the Election Laws of the State of Florida (PDF) - if not already on file
  4. Notice of Candidacy (PDF) - City Charter provides that candidates must have resided continuously in the City for at least one (1) year preceding the date of qualifying; and persons running from a particular Residential Area must be a resident of the Residential Area which s/he proposes to represent on the Commission at the time of qualifying, at the time of his/her election and must continue to reside in such Residential Area during his/her term of office.
  5. DS-DE 302NP (PDF) Candidate Oath
  6. Voluntary Statement of Fair Campaign Practices (PDF)
  7. Form 1 (PDF) Statement of Financial Interests
  8. Qualifying Fee - In accordance with the City Charter, a fee in the amount of $100, payable to the City of Aventura, from the Candidate’s Campaign Account must be submitted
  9. State Assessment Fee - In accordance with State Statute, candidates must file an assessment fee in the amount of 1% of the annual salary of the office being sought. The annual salary for Commissioners is $7,500. The annual salary for Mayor is $10,000. Therefore, if running for Commissioner, the amount of $75 payable to the City of Aventura from the Candidate’s Campaign Account must be submitted. If running for Mayor, the amount of $100 payable to the City of Aventura from the Candidate’s Campaign Account must be submitted.
  10. Copy of Voter Information Card
  11. Resign to Run (if applicable) – Candidates must resign from elective or appointive office at least 10 days prior to the first day of qualifying (August 2, 2024)

Please be advised that if you intend to seek election to City Commission office, please be sure to provide the City Clerk with the necessary completed qualifying papers and fees in a sufficient period of time before the 4:30 pm expiration of the qualifying period on Friday, August 16, 2024, so that your qualifying papers may be timely filed with the City Clerk prior to the end of the qualifying period.

Additional Information Resources

Other Resources

Campaign Financing Forms