Updated: Special election to fill Mann’s seat; DeSantis to fill seat in the interim
Elections dates set for Aug. 23; Nov. 8
Update:
Dates have been set for the Special Election to fill the vacancy for the District 5 seat on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners with Gov. Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, issuing an executive order stating he will fill the seat in the interim.
Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle, in accordance with state statutes, has called a Special Election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Commissioner Frank Mann this week as well as set the date for a Special Primary Election for selecting nominees of “the recognized political parties for such Election,” according to a release from the Elections Office issued today.
The date for the Special Primary Election is Tuesday, Aug. 23.
The date for the Special Election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
“Under the direction of the state, Doyle has set the qualifying period from noon, Monday, June 27, through 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 28.
Candidates seeking to qualify by the petition method may submit petitions to the Supervisor of Elections, no later than 5 p.m., Saturday, June 25.
For more information pertaining to qualifying, visit lee.vote.
Original post:
A special election will be held to fill the remainder of the term for the seat of the late Lee County District 5 Commissioner Frank Mann.
A date had not yet been set by the Florida Secretary of State as of Thursday, according to the office of the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
“Our office is in contact with the Florida Secretary of State and Division of Elections to determine a special qualifying period for that election,” the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office said via email in response to a question from The Breeze. “We are awaiting guidance from the state and do not yet have information on when that special qualifying period and the election will take place.”
The process for replacing Mann, a Republican, is set in state statute, which requires a special election to be held when a vacancy occurs in an elected county office with more than 28 months left in the term. According to the Florida Constitution, the governor can make an appointment if there are fewer than 28 months left in the term.
Since Mann’s death occurred after the qualifying period for the upcoming 2022 election, a special election date will need to be set by the Office of the Secretary of State and governor, Lee County Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Martin said.
Martin has been fielding interest from potential candidates for the seat which encompasses the eastern portion of Lee County, including Lehigh Acres.
Martin said a special election could be held as early as August.
“There are quite a few names being thrown around,” he said.
A decision from the State Division of Elections on the timing of a special election will determine if there is time for a primary. Florida’s primary elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 23.
“It’s a very short turnaround,” Martin said. Absentee ballots need to be sent out next month, he said.
According to state law, “if a vacancy occurs prior to the primary election but on or after the first day set by law for qualifying, the Secretary of State shall set dates for qualifying for the unexpired portion of the term of such office. Any person seeking nomination or election to the unexpired portion of the term shall qualify within the time set by the Secretary of State. If time does not permit party nominations to be made in conjunction with the primary election, the Governor may call a special primary election to select party nominees for the unexpired portion of such term.”
The law also states that “nominees of political parties shall be chosen under the primary laws of this state in the special primary election to become candidates in the special election. Prior to setting the special election dates, the Governor shall consider any upcoming elections in the jurisdiction where the special election will be held. The dates fixed by the Governor shall be specific days certain and shall not be established by the happening of a condition or stated in the alternative.”
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com