The United Teachers of Dade, representing teachers and support professionals in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is facing a critical challenge due to new legislation requiring a 50% mail-in ballot response for recertification. This law, part of a broader effort by the Florida legislature to restrict public sector unions, mandates that the union must receive at least 11,540 returned ballots from its bargaining unit of 23,079 members by July 7. The union, which has historically succeeded in recertification elections, is now contending with the complexities of mail-in voting, which they argue is designed to reduce participation. United Teachers of Dade President Antonio White emphasized the importance of this election, stating that failure to recertify could lead to the loss of their contract with the school district, which governs pay and workplace conditions. The union has been actively encouraging both members and non-members to participate, highlighting the risks of decertification. Similar challenges are faced by the Broward Teachers Union, which also must navigate the new regulations. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between unions and state lawmakers over the future of public sector representation in Florida.