Justices to hear Orange County charter battle
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (NSF) - The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 8 in a dispute about a voter-approved change that called for Orange County constitutional officers to be chosen in non-partisan elections.
The court Friday issued an order that scheduled oral arguments in the case. Orange County voters in 2014 supported revamping the county charter to include non-partisan elections for the clerk of circuit court, comptroller, property appraiser, sheriff, supervisor of elections and tax collector.
Constitutional officers filed a lawsuit, and a circuit judge rejected the change, concluding that the issue was “preempted” to the Legislature.
A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal in December upheld the circuit judge’s ruling, leading the county to take the issue to the Supreme Court. In a brief filed in January, the county said the case could have implications for other parts of the state.
Information provided by The News Service of Florida.