Tampa, FL June 3, 2022 – The Executive Committee of the Florida People’s Party via legal counsel, filed suit today claiming and the resulting change in Florida §99.021, violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution for both candidates and voters alike. The Qualifying Information on the Florida Division of Elections website reads as follows:
“ATTENTION: Recent law (s. 11 of Chapter 2021-11, Laws of Florida) requires a person seeking nomination as a candidate of a political party to be a member of that political party for the 365 days BEFORE the beginning of the applicable qualifying period. Additionally, the law requires a person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate with no party affiliation to not be a member of any political party for the 365 days BEFORE the beginning of the applicable qualifying period.”
In the complaint, the People’s Party states that the Florida legislature’s decision to burden ballot access to the People’s Party and its candidates and voters is a partisan act taken to protect or insulate major party candidates, which is unconstitutional as explained by the United States Supreme Court as follows:
“Our U.S. Supreme Court has observed that interest in political stability ‘does not permit a State to completely insulate the two-party system from minor parties’ or independent candidates’ competition and influence.”
The Florida People’s Party seeks remedy by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida to validate the unconstitutionality of the current statute and allow People’s Party candidates to appear on the November 8th, 2022, ballot; including, but not limited to, Elise Mysels, (People’s Party (FL) Secretary/Treasurer) to seek election as Pasco County Commissioner – District 2.
We will keep you abreast as the case unfolds. In the meantime, the Florida People’s Party is trying to raise funds to cover their legal expenses HERE.
