With almost all precincts reporting results, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Natacha Seijas have been ousted from office.

Results from the recall election, including absentee and early votes, show a vast majority of voters, around 88 percent, want to kick out the two politicians.

The results will be likely be certified by Friday, when Alvarez and Seijas must vacate their offices.

Commissioners will then have 30 days either to appoint a new mayor, who would serve until the next countywide election – which would likely be the presidential primary in early 2012 – or to call for a special election that would have to be held in the ensuing 45 days. There could be a runoff election after that. Seijas’ seat must also be filled by either commission appointment or special election.

Both politicians kept a low profile as results came in, but billionaire auto magnate Norman Braman, who championed the recall effort along with political action committee Miami Voice, celebrated with supporters at a news conference.

“Today is the first day of a new day for Miami-Dade County. County voters have demonstrated by their ballots that they are tired of unaccountable officials, of being ignored, and of being over-taxed in this very difficult recessionary time,” he said. “I say, ‘congratulations Miami-Dade voters!’”

Shortly after, Alvarez released a brief statement. Calling it an “honor and privilege to serve this community,” he said that “the voters have spoken and now a time of healing and reconciliation must begin.”

“A professional management team remains in place in Miami-Dade County government and I know they will work hard to ensure the smoothest transition possible in the coming days,” he said. “I wish the next Mayor of Miami-Dade County much success.”

Turnout was low at the polls Tuesday, with a few clashes between voters with differing opinions on the recall in some parts of the county, such as Hialeah and Miami Lakes, and little activity in other areas. About 20-to-30 percent of registered voters came out to polling sites.

Alvarez and Seijas were subjects of the recall vote after petition efforts Braman and Miami Voice, which began their drives after Alvarez pushed through a budget that hiked the county’s tax rate and gave raises to county employees. Seijas voted for the budget.

Both Alvarez and Seijas tried to kill the recall vote in court.

(Source: Miami Herald)