TITLE
RESOLUTION CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF MIAMIDADE COUNTY THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE ORDINANCE REPEALING THE COUNTY�S 23 YEAR OLD LAW PROHIBITING THE OWNERSHIP OF PIT BULLS AS A DANGEROUS BREED OF DOGS SHOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE

BODY
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to repeal the County�s twenty three (23) year old pit bull dog ban upon approval of such repeal by a majority of electors voting on this issue in an election to be held in conjunction with the August 14, 2012 Primary Elections; and
WHEREAS, this Board is currently considering an ordinance repealing the pit bull dog ban effective upon such approval; and
WHEREAS, the County currently regulates dangerous dogs pursuant to Section 5-22 and 5-23 of the Code of Miami-Dade County and such regulations will continue to regulate pit bull dogs along with all other dog breeds in the event the pit bull dog ban is repealed; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to call a special election to place the question of whether to repeal the pit bull dog ban before the voters,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:


Section 1. A countywide special election is hereby called and shall be held in Miami-Dade County, Florida in conjunction with a Primary Election on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of Miami-Dade County the ballot question contained in Section 3.
Section 2. Notice of such election shall be published in accordance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes.
Section 3. The result of such election shall be determined by a majority of the qualified electors of Miami-Dade County voting upon the proposal. The polls at such election shall be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the day of such election. All qualified electors of Miami-Dade County, Florida shall be entitled to vote at said election. The County registration books shall remain open at the Office of the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections until twenty-nine (29) days prior to the date of such election, at which time the registration books will close in accordance with the provisions of general election laws. The question shall appear on the ballot in substantially the following form:
REPEAL OF COUNTY�S PIT BULL DOG BAN

SHALL THE ORDINANCE REPEALING THE COUNTY�S 23 YEAR OLD LAW PROHIBITING THE OWNERSHIP OF PIT BULLS AS A DANGEROUS BREED OF DOGS BECOME EFFECTIVE?

YES

NO

Section 4. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with the requirements of general election laws.
Section 5. Early voting shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of general election laws.
Section 6. Absentee paper ballots may be used by qualified electors of Miami-Dade County for voting on this question. The form of such absentee ballot shall be in accordance with the requirements prescribed by general election laws.
Section 7. A sample ballot showing the manner in which the question or proposal aforesaid will appear at this election shall be published and provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of general election laws.
Section 8. This election on the proposal aforesaid shall be held and conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of the general laws relating to elections and the provisions of the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter. The County Mayor or his or her designee, the Finance Director, and the Clerk of the County Commission are hereby authorized and directed to take all appropriate actions necessary to carry into effect and accomplish the provisions of this resolution. This election shall be a nonpartisan election. Election officials in connection with this election shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of general election laws.
Section 9. This election shall be canvassed by the County Canvassing Board, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.07 of the Home Rule Charter.