Lawsuit filed to challenge use of write-ins to close Florida primary elections
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE
If the winner of a Democratic or Republican primary in Florida wont face opposition in the general election, then that primary is open to all voters without regard to party registration under a state constitutional amendment passed overwhelmingly in 1998.
The idea is that everyone should get a chance to vote for or against the eventual winner.
But politicians have been getting around the so-called universal primary requirement by finding someone often a supporter, friend or relative to run as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates have closed what would have otherwise been five open primaries in Palm Beach and Martin counties this year the Republican House District 82 and Democratic Senate District 27 and tax collectors races in Palm Beach, and the Republican sheriffs and county commission District 1 races in Martin.
That trick is now being challenged in court by critics who say that it effectively disenfranchises independents and members of other parties. They hope a judge will rule before the Aug. 14
More at: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/lawsuit-filed-to-challenge-use-of-write-ins-to-clo/nP32L/