Miramar city employee among candidates vying for seat on Jamaica diaspora council
Jamaicans living across South Florida are being encouraged to vote in the elections for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, a 28-member advisory body whose aim is to build ties between Jamaicans abroad and the island nation.
As elections move forward, Miramar — which has one of the largest Jamaican population centers in South Florida — is expected to play a major role since thousands can vote. There are an estimated 1.1 million Jamaicans living in the U.S.
The online voting, postponed due to the damage done to the island by Hurricane Melissa, is underway and continues through Friday, Feb. 20.
To be eligible to vote, individuals must be Jamaican or of Jamaican heritage, at least 18 years old and reside in the U.S., Canada or the United Kingdom.
Among the 52 candidate is a Miramar city employee, Janice McIntosh, senior public information manager in the office of Police Chief Delrish Moss.
McIntosh is among eight candidates vying to represent the United States’ Southern Region. Winners serve on the volunteer council for three years.
The election had been temporarily paused following Hurricane Melissa, which seriously impacted parts of Jamaica in October. The pause was requested by Electoral Committees in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. as they shifted their focus to relief efforts.
“As Jamaica transitions from emergency response to rebuilding, members of the diaspora have signaled their readiness to move forward with the elections,” Alando Terrelonge, Jamaica’s State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, told Old Harbour News.
McIntosh told the Miramar News on Monday, Feb. 9, that she’s ready to serve.
“I’m running for the council under the platform ‘Stronger Ties, Smarter Future’ because I believe the diaspora is one of Jamaica’s greatest and most under-organized assets,” she said.
“I intend to work closely with the consulate and key stakeholders to ensure the diaspora understands its role, feels heard and is meaningfully engaged in nation building — not only in times of crisis, but in shaping Jamaica’s long-term future,” she added.
Click here for a full list of candidates in the U.S. South Region. To vote for McIntosh or others candidates, go to connectmeja.com. , where Jamaicans throughout Miramar, Broward County, Florida and the wider Southern United States can participate.
“This unprecedented level of candidate engagement demonstrates strong confidence in the Councils and a clear willingness among Jamaicans in the diaspora to serve,” Terrelonge said.
The minister emphasized that the elections are intended to produce tangible outcomes.
“This process is not about checking a box or holding a symbolic vote. It is about ensuring that there are systems in place to help channel diaspora support into real, measurable outcomes for Jamaica,” he said. The government of Jamaica has maintained a structured approach to diaspora engagement, supported by policy frameworks and a dedicated Diaspora Affairs Department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
While the election has generated debate, the Minister cautioned against misinformation and efforts to undermine participation.
“While diverse views are healthy for democratic governance, it is deeply concerning when attempts are made to disrupt or discredit a legitimate and transparent process through mischief, misinformation and propaganda,” Terrelonge told Old Harbour News.
At a time when Jamaicans worldwide are focused on rebuilding the island, Terrelonge urged all eligible diaspora members — including those in Miramar and South Florida — to remain engaged and vote.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 4:49 AM.
