HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-2004 Informal Opinion: Opt-Out Provision for Municipal ElectionsJul, 23 2004 5:OOPM HROWN,GRRGRNESE,WEISS a D 4074259596
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BROWN, GARGANESE, WEISS & UAGRESTA, P.A.
Attorneys at Lain
Lisher L. Bra' Offices in Otlando, Kissimmee, Debra S. Babb-Nutrher
Jeffrey P. Buak° Cocoa & Viera Joseph E. BUtch
Suzanne D'A9resta°
Anthony A. Garpanese° John harn, Jr.
Lisa M.. Fletcher
John H. Word • Katherine Latorre
Jeffrey S. Weiss Melanie A. Mucario
Michelle A. Reddin
•Board Certifled Civil Trial Lawyer
°Board Certified City, County & Local Government Law
July 23, 2004
Via Facsimile Only
Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces, City Clerk
City of Winter Springs
1126 East State Road 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708-2799
Erin J. O'Leary
J. W. Taylor
Of Counsel
Re: Informal Opinion: Opt -Out Provision for Municipal Elections
Dear Andrea:
Enclosed you will find an Informal Opinion that I requested from Maria I. Matthews,
Asslstant General Counsel for the State of Florida, Department of State, regarding the
early voting requirements under the Florida Election Code.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
A
ours,
Anthony A. Garganese
City Attorney
AAGAg
Enclosure
225 East Robinson Street, Suile 660 - P.O. Box 2873 -Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9565 Fax (407) 425.9586 - Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 - Cocoa & Vera (866) 425-9566
Webslte: www.arlandolaw.net • Email: firmQoriandolaw.net
Jul 23 2004 5:OOPM BROWN,GRRGRNESE,WEISS sL D 4074259596
0723/ 2004 14: 25 050
DEPT OF STATE
P.3
PAGE 02/02
JED BUSH
Governor
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
July 23, 2004
VIA FACSIMILE
Anthony A. Gaxganese, Esq.
Brown, Garganese, Weiss dr D'Agresta, P.A.
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660
Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Re: Informal opinion; Opt -Out Provision for Municipal Elections
Dear Mr. Garganese;
GLENDA E. HOOD
Serretary ojState
This is in response to your request on behalf of four municipalities Cape Canaveral, Cocoa,
Orchid and Winter Springs, for an informal opinion relating to municipal elections. You ask
whether a city may, pursuant to section. 100.3605, Florida Statutes, opt out of the early voting
process enacted recently under sections 9, 1.0, 111, 12 and. 13 of chapter law 2004-252, maws of
Floride.
Since 1995, the Florida Elections Code (Chapters 97 through 106, Florida Statutes) governs all
aspects of municipal elections in the absence of an applicable special act, charter or ordinance.
See section 100.3605, Florida Statutes; Chapter 95-178, Laws of Florida, see also DE 03-01.
However, even where a municipality chooses to 'opt out,, of the elections code by virtue of a
special act, charter, or ordinance, it will continue to be bound by those provisions of the code that
expressly apply to municipalities.
At this time, the statutory provision on early voting does not expressly apply to municipalities.
Therefore, a municipality may opt out of this provision through the application of a special act or
adoption of a charter or. ordinance. If the municipality chooses to provide early voting, it must
comply with the statutory requirements for early voting under section 101.657, Florida Statutes.
Res e %
ews
Assistant General Counsel
MIM/ccat
cc: Kne Lair me, Esq,
offiee of the Secretary
R. A. Gray Building s Sao South B►encupb Street a Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0230
Tekphooe; (830) 24"500 • Faoeimtla: (850) US-6125 . www: http://www,doe.state.1Lur
Jui.23 2004 5:OOPM BROWN,GRRGRNESE,WEISS a D 4074259596
P.1
Brown, Garganese, Weiss & D 'Agresta, P.A.
225 East Robinson Street — Suite 660
Post Office Box 2873
Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
(407) 425-9566
(407) 425-9596 fax
agarganese@orlandolaw.net
Date: July 23, 2004
To: Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces, City Clerk
City of Winter Springs
Fax: 407-327-4753
From: Anthony A. Garganese, Esq., City Attorney
Pages (including this one): 3
COMMENTS., Please see attached
If there are any questions regarding this fax,
please call 4071425-9566.
nti facsimile message is attorneyledient privileged material and is, accondingry, confidential. This message is intended only for the individual or
entity named above. 91he receiver of this message is not the intended reciplent, please be advised that oily dissemination. distribution, or copying
ofthis cmm►utication issiriellyprohibited. tfyou have received this communication in error, pleasenotous by telephone immediately and retarn
the original message to either above address via the U.S. Alail. Aank you.
FAX NO. :4075718123
Mar. 31 2005 08:55AM P2
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July 23, 2004
VIA P,ACBII�,�
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Anthtrfty A, Gault "e", Esq. '
Brown, Garganeoe, Webb & D',A,grests. P-A.
235 set 13nbbrutetl Street, Suite 60
Orlando, R odda 32IM-2e73
'Rr: 1worme1 Opifuun: Opt -Out Provision for M%micipal Electiam
Deaf ;Kr. Garpveae:
This 'sa in reeponm to your request on betwlf Of foot rnurtwvahtiev Cope Can aveltal, Cocoa,
Oteltld end winter SWnp, for an iotOMWI OpUdon relttfinS t0 VUrAdpal dectiorRe, Yatj ask
whether & city m0y, pursuant to mwdoo 100,W, Flo7rido gtatules, opt out of the Corny votinS
procV" matted recently under sections 9, to, 11. 17 and 13 of chapter law 2006.252, tAws of
lr1ot16e.
Strata 2995, the Plarlde Ltecdoru Code (Chapters V throu h 106, Ploddo Statutes) goverm all
mVccts of mur+kipal electionx in the absence of an a 1iQa�1s dal sct, charter or or+diname.
See section IM3605, Florida Slatumaj Chap►t" 95-178, Laws of Florida, see also DE 03-01,
kbwam. evert whore a municipality chooses to "opt ouf" of the 6lectfom code by virtue of a
apedal act, chutes, of ordtname, it will continuo to be bound by those prwisiaaN of t2te code that
expressly apply to municipautles.
At this time, the statutory provision on early vvetog does not expressly reply 10 municipratitees.
Therefore, a tntwidpatilry may opt out of this prttvfafon thmuO the lappfleatiotn oft epWal act as
adoption of a charter or ordinance. if the mWelpelity chcoaes to provida early voting, it muar
comply with thi statutory requk ernanh for early voting under WHOn 101AS7, Florid& Satutea-
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