Miami bill of rights passes under the radar

Voters created a new bill of rights in Miami, a new elective office in Miami-Dade County and a new government center in North Bay Village among a smattering of referendums and charter changes on Tuesday's ballot.

The bill of rights, which received little attention before the election, promotes a wide range of noble-sounding goals, from freedom of speech and religion to environmental protection. It also contains a clause that bans the city, directly or indirectly, from discriminating based on race, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. City employees who violate the code could lose their jobs, and other residents could file civil lawsuits.