4/9/15 Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments – Jennifer Brinkmann v. Tyron Francois, etc., et al., SC14-1899

After qualifying Mr. Francois as a write-in candidate for a county commission seat, elections officials closed the 2014 primary ballot. Since all the other candidates were Democrats, this meant only Democrats could vote. Ms. Brinkmann sued, arguing the state constitution opens primaries to all voters when no opposition candidate will be challenging the primary winner in the general election. She argued a write-in candidate does not qualify as opposition. She also argued Mr. Francois should not be on the ballot because he lived outside the district, in violation of state law. The trial court agreed but the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed that ruling and ordered the election closed. The 4th DCA also found the residency statute unconstitutional.

Click on the links to watch more oral arguments from 4/9/15:

Anamaria Santiago v. Mauna Loa Investments, LLC, SC13-2194

Charles Anderson v. State, SC12-1252; Charles Anderson v. Julie L. Jones, etc., SC14-881