Tie vote
April 13, 2009
The City of Eagle Lake is dealing with a recount-confirmed tie vote, according to NewsChief.com. Seven voters did not pick a candidate, and the remaining votes from the less than 20% turnout resulted in a tie. Fla. Stat 100.181 speaks to this: “such persons shall draw lots to determine who shall be elected to the office.”
Kenneth City Mayor/Charter case
March 13, 2009
Bay News 9 here in the Tampa area is reporting on a case in Kenneth City, over in Pinellas County. The charter in Kenneth City bars its elected officials from holding office at the same time as they work as a public employee. A school teacher, who recently was elected mayor of the town (yes, Kenneth City is listed as a town), challenged the constitutionality of the charter. The court sided with the City, however, holding in this opinion posted by Bay News 9 that the provision was constitutional and fully enforceable.
Palm Beach Election Litigation online
September 10, 2008
The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court has continued their tradition of putting notable election litigation online. The complaint in the Palm Beach County judicial race dispute is online now.
DOJ settles Osceola School Board Voting Rights Case
April 17, 2008
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced it has settled with Osceola County, resolving a challenge to the county’s School Board districts under the Voting Rights Act. Last week, according to the Orlando Sentinel, the School Board adopted the new districts enhancing the chances of electing a Hispanic candidate for the first time.
Free stamps=bribe?
February 22, 2008
The Orlando Sentinel reports that one of the political parties mailed stamps to voters and told them to use the stamps to return their absentee ballot for the Florida House District 32 contest. The question is whether that crosses the line and constitutes a bribe under Fla. Stat. 104.061 or is of such nominal value that it does not cause a problem.
Dual disqualifications in West Palm Beach
February 20, 2008
Both candidates for the District 3 City Commission race in West Palm Beach have been deemed disqualified because of election law errors. The challenger was disqualified for paying her filing fees with a personal check, while the incumbent had the wrong signature on her campaign account designation form. A special election is now likely, more in the Palm Beach Post.