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§ 100.141 Notice of special election to fill any vacancy in office.

Overview of Statute

This statute governs the announcement of special elections to fill vacancies in office. The Governor is responsible for announcing the day on which a special election is to be held. The Department of State is then responsible for writing a notice stating which offices are vacant, the dates for the special primary and the special election, the qualification dates, the qualification by petition dates, and the dates for filing campaign expense statements.

Statute

(1) Whenever a special election is required to fill any vacancy in office, the Governor, after consultation with the Secretary of State, shall issue an order declaring on what day the election shall be held and deliver the order to the Department of State.

(2) The Department of State shall prepare a notice stating what offices are to be filled in the special election, the dates set for the special primary election and the special election, the dates fixed for qualifying for office, the dates fixed for qualifying by the petition process pursuant to s. 99.095, and the dates fixed for filing campaign expense statements.

(3) The department shall deliver a copy of such notice to the supervisor of elections of each county in which the special election is to be held. The supervisor shall have the notice published two times in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 10 days prior to the first day set for qualifying for office. If such a newspaper is not published within the period set forth, the supervisor shall post at least five copies of the notice in conspicuous places in the county not less than 10 days prior to the first date set for qualifying.

History:

s. 6, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 160; s. 7, ch. 4328, 1895; GS 177; RGS 221; CGL 256; s. 3, ch. 25383, 1949; s. 1, ch. 26329, 1949; s. 4, ch. 26870, 1951; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 14, ch. 90-315; s. 13, ch. 99-318; s. 21, ch. 2005-277; s. 14, ch. 2005-286.

Definition [Primary Election]

An election held preceding the general election for the purpose of nominating a party nominee to be voted for in the general election to fill a national, state, county, or district office. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(29).

Definition [Special Election]

A special election called for the purpose of voting on a party nominee to fill a vacancy in the national, state, county, or district office. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(34).

Definition [Special Primary Election]

A special nomination election designated by the Governor, called for the purpose of nominating a party nominee to be voted on in a general or special election.

Definition [Newspaper of General Circulation]

A newspaper printed in the language most commonly spoken in the area within which it circulates and which is readily available for purchase by all inhabitants in the area of circulation, but does not include a newspaper intended primarily for members of a particular professional or occupational group, a newspaper the primary function of which is to carry legal notices, or a newspaper that is given away primarily to distribute advertising. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(20).

Definition [Issue]

A proposition that is required by the State Constitution, by law or resolution of the Legislature, or by the charter, ordinance, or resolution of a political subdivision of this state to be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at an election, or a proposition for which a petition is circulated in order to have such proposition placed on the ballot at an election. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(13).

Definition [Election]

Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).

Additional Resources

Further Reading

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 16, Notice of special elections

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 117, Ordering or calling

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 118, Notice