Candidates running for political office have faced some hurdles due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — one being collecting petition signatures.
To appear on the ballot, candidates must either collect signatures from 1% of registered voters in the district, 539 in Monroe County, or pay the filing fee, with a formula based on voter totals, out of their campaign war chests. State and local candidates had until May 11 to collect signatures, and no extension was given by the state despite the coronavirus pandemic, which halted the door-knocking and signature collecting.
“I don’t really think this is a negative thing of people not trying, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Joyce Griffin, Monroe County supervisor of elections.
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee provided some leniency in the petition process, however, as she signed off on an emergency rule in April that allowed a voter’s digital signature instead of people having to put pen to paper.
“Permitting circulation and submission of qualifying items by means other than personal contact stops the spread of the virus, while otherwise maintaining the qualifying process for candidates and supporting the state’s important interests in the process as well,” Lee’s order reads.
In the Monroe County State Attorney’s race, Republican incumbent Dennis Ward, Republican challenger Mark Kohl and Democratic challenger Don Barrett all collected the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot.
In the race for county commissioner for District 1 covering Key West, Republican incumbent Craig Cates and Democratic challenger Danise “DeeDee” Henriquez secured enough signatures. In the race for the District 3 seat covering Key West, Democratic incumbent Heather Carruthers obtained the required signatures, while Republican challenger Eddie Martinez paid the $2,811 filing fee to qualify.
In the race for county commission’s District 5 seat covering Tavernier to North Key Largo, Republican Robby Majeska qualified with the securing of petition signatures, while Republican Mike Forster paid the $2,811 filing fee. Republican candidate Jose Peixoto will need to pay filing fees in order to qualify, Griffin said. The seat is currently held by Sylvia Murphy, who is not running for reelection.
Candidates running for county positions have until June 12 to qualify.
In the state representative contest, which covers Monroe County and south Miami-Dade, Rhonda Rebman Lopez was the only candidate to collect the required 1,013 signatures to appear on the ballot. Republican Alexandria Suarez collected 989 signatures, while Republican Jim Mooney gathered 413 and Democrat Clint Barras collected 601. Filing fees were paid by those who didn’t secure enough petitions. That total amounted to around $1,780.
In the state Senate race, Republican Ana Maria Rodriguez and Democrat Javier Fernandez both paid the qualifying fee. Democrat Daniel Horton-Diaz must pay the filing fee in order to qualify. The Senate District 39 seat, which covers the Keys and portions of Miami-Dade, is currently held by Anitere Flores. She will be terming out at the end of the year.
Candidates for state seats have until June 12 to qualify.
