Doral strengthens election qualifications after candidate won residency challenge

The Doral City Council has approved an ordinance amending its election laws following a recent residency dispute.

Seat 3 candidate Irina Vilarino, a co-owner of Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine, had faced a complaint alleging she had not lived in Doral for the required two-year period prior to filing to run for office — a complaint that a judge ultimately dismissed .

The updated requirements mandate that candidates submit more specific documentation to the city clerk to demonstrate their residency in the city, requiring them to present at least three out of five specified documents: a lease agreement, proof of home ownership within the city for at least two years prior to qualifying for the office, a driver’s license or Florida identification card showing a Doral residential address, utility bills and other documents in the candidate’s name that cover the duration of the residency requirement, or copies of filed income tax returns that include a Doral address.

In a memo to the council, City Attorney Lorenzo Cobiella highlighted the increasing debate over election laws at both the national and state levels. To address those concerns, the city aims to enhance “transparency and accountability” in its own election process. Cobiella noted to el Nuevo Herald that the ordinance changes are intended to clarify residency requirements and prevent future confusion.

The council unanimously approved the ordinance on its first vote, with the final vote scheduled for Oct. 9.

Had those requirements been in place earlier this electoral cycle, Vilarino’s documentation might not have been sufficient for qualification. Public records indicate that she provided proof of home ownership in the city for at least two years prior to qualifying for the office, along with a bank statement and a voter registration that was updated in March 2024 — four months before the qualification period began. However, at the time, her driver’s license still listed her previous address in Pinecrest, and her homestead exemption was registered for the Pinecrest property, not the one in Doral. Those discrepancies were highlighted in the challenge against her candidacy.

Doral’s city charter requires that candidates for mayor and city council reside in the city for at least two years prior to qualifying for office. Some legal experts view that requirement as excessive. Jose Smith, a former city attorney for Miami Beach and North Miami Beach and currently a special magistrate for North Miami, argues that while a one-year residency requirement is reasonable, a two-year requirement might be considered excessive. Smith said that Florida appellate court decisions have ruled that a two-year residency requirement is unconstitutional.

According to the ordinance, residency requirements for candidates ensure more informed and knowledgeable political candidates, allowing the exposure of prospective candidates to voters and better assuring that a candidate is a member of the political community he or she hopes to represent.

Vilarino criticized the amendment when el Nuevo Herald asked for her opinion.

“Rather than creating additional obstacles for people entering politics, the qualification process should be streamlined,” she said. She added that there seems to be a reluctance to allow “outsiders” to run for office.

Two weeks ago, Vilarino held a press conference alleging that she was being politically persecuted for not being part of Mayor Christi Fraga’s endorsed slate of candidates. During her press conference, Vilarino presented evidence that Fraga’s Leaders of Tomorrow PAC paid $10,000 in legal fees to the firm representing Emmanuel “Manny” Sarmiento, the person who filed the complaint against Vilarino.

In response, Fraga held an press conference to defend her actions, stating that the PAC’s involvement was a matter of transparency and public interest. Fraga explained that the PAC supported the investigation based on evidence suggesting Vilarino did not meet the residency requirements.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Peter Lopez ruled on Aug. 15 that Vilarino had provided sufficient proof of residency to qualify as a candidate.

The ordinance was approved on the same day that Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart endorsed Vilarino’s candidacy over two other contenders for Seat 3: Nicole Reinoso, an executive director with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and a former colleague of Fraga who is supported by the mayor; and Juan Carlos Esquivel, who is making his third attempt at a council seat and received the endorsement of Sarmiento, the resident who challenged Vilarino’s candidacy.

The candidate who secures the seat could significantly influence the city’s power dynamics for the next four years. Since early 2024, the city has been facing a series of political upheavals. The mayor currently has only one ally on the five-person council of which she is also a member, which means her political proposals frequently fall short.