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Stories about Florida

Florida Supreme Court issues two opinions from March 20-26

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 30, 2023 at 7:21 PM

The Florida Supreme Court issued two opinions from March 20-26. As of March 26, the court issued 21 opinions in 2023 — 16 fewer than this point a year ago. The two opinions are below:

From March 20-26, state supreme courts issued 125 opinions nationally. The Kentucky Supreme Court issued the most with 25. State supreme courts in 22 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 78 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 47.

The Florida Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Carlos Muñiz. The court issued 108 opinions in 2022 and 115 in 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 7,423 opinions in 2022 and 8,320 in 2021. The courts have issued 1,491 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 807 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 684. Florida is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.

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Governor Ron DeSantis (R) issues six executive orders from March 20-26

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 29, 2023 at 10:01 PM

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued six executive orders from March 20-26. As of March 26, DeSantis has issued 64 executive orders in 2023 — 11 fewer than he did at this point a year ago. Three of the orders are below:

  • Executive Order Number 23-64, where the governor assigned John Durrett as state attorney for the case involving James Dillon Crews in the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
  • Executive Order Number 23-60, where the governor renewed the Hurricane Ian state of emergency for 60 days.
  • Executive Order Number 23-59, where the governor amended provisions regarding appointment and membership in Executive Order 12-23, which extended the authorization of the State Emergency Response Commission for Hazardous Material.

Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of March 20-26, the nation’s governors issued 20 executive orders. DeSantis issued the most with six. Governors in 38 states issued the fewest with zero. Democratic governors issued five of the 20 orders, while Republican governors issued 15.

DeSantis has served as governor since Jan. 8, 2019. He issued 272 executive orders in 2022 and 246 in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 369 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 229, while Democratic governors issued 140. Florida is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.

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Election legislation roundup: Florida State Senate

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 29, 2023 at 8:25 PM

As of March 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 13 election-related bills in the Florida State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 13, Ballotpedia tracked one from March 20-26. Republicans sponsored the bill. The bill is:   

  • FL S0620: Ethics Requirements for Officers and Employees of Special Tax Districts, Sens. Nick DiCeglie (R) and Clay Yarborough (R). 
    • A summary has not been provided yet.

During the week of March 20-26, Ballotpedia tracked 50 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of March 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 770 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 125, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in Louisiana and Massachusetts with zero. Republicans sponsored 367 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 311. Minor party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 67 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 25. 

As of March 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 382 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 301 Senate bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 87 Senate bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The Florida Senate is scheduled to be in session from March 7 to May 5 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 16 Senate bills related to election administration. Four of these bills passed both chambers and three were enacted into law. Florida is a Republican trifecta.

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Jacksonville’s local elections advance to a runoff

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
March 27, 2023 at 4:57 PM

The general election for Jacksonville, Florida, was on March 21, 2023. The filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 13. 

Candidates ran for property appraiser, city council, and mayor. The general elections for sheriff, supervisor of elections, and tax collector were canceled after no more than one candidate filed to run for each race. Incumbent T.K. Waters (R), Jerry Holland (R), and incumbent Jim Overton (R) won the sheriff, supervisor of elections, and tax collector elections, respectively, without appearing on the ballot.

Donna Deegan (D), Audrey Gibson (D), LeAnna Cumber (R), Daniel Davis (R), Al Ferraro (R), Frank Keasler (R), Omega Allen (Independent), and Brian Griffin (Independent) (Write-in) ran for mayor of Jacksonville. Deegan and Davis advanced to the general runoff election after neither received a majority of the general election vote. Deegan received 39.5% of the vote, while Davis received 24.8%.

The runoff election is scheduled for May 16, 2023. In addition to mayor, runoffs will be held for property appraiser and the following city council seats: At-large Position 5, District 2, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 11, and District 14.

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and the 12th-largest city in the U.S. by population.

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Governor Ron DeSantis (R) issues nine executive orders from March 13-19

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 23, 2023 at 10:12 PM

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued nine executive orders from March 13-19. As of March 19, DeSantis has issued 58 executive orders in 2023 — 16 fewer than he did at this point a year ago. Three of nine executive orders are below:

  • Executive Order Number 23-54, where the governor assigned Brian Kramer as state attorney for the case involving Thomas Frank Clark in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
  • Executive Order Number 23-55, where the governor extended the assignment of Susan Lopez as state attorney for the case against Daniel Michael Farris in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
  • Executive Order Number 23-58, where the governor amended Executive Order 22-148 to include a citation for failure to register a vehicle. He also reaffirmed the newly amended order.

Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of March 13-19, the nation’s governors issued 25 executive orders. DeSantis issued the most with nine. Governors in 39 states issued the fewest with zero. Democratic governors issued 13 of the 25 orders, while Republican governors issued 12.

DeSantis has served as governor since Jan. 8, 2019. He issued 272 executive orders in 2022 and 246 in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 345 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 210, while Democratic governors issued 135. Florida is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.

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Election legislation roundup: Florida House of Representatives

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 23, 2023 at 6:03 PM

As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 13 election-related bills in the Florida House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 13, Ballotpedia tracked one from March 13-19. Republicans sponsored the bill. The bill is:

  • FL H1611: City of Bartow, Polk County, Rep. Melony Bell (R).

During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 92 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,059 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 138, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with zero. Republicans sponsored 491 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 430. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 74 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 64.

As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 561 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 392 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 106 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The Florida House is scheduled to be in session from March 7 to May 5 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 13 House bills related to election administration. Zero of these bills passed both chambers. Florida is a Republican trifecta.

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Florida Supreme Court issues five opinions from March 13-19

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 23, 2023 at 5:20 AM

The Florida Supreme Court issued five opinions from March 13-19. As of March 19, the court issued 19 opinions in 2023 — 12 fewer than this point a year ago. The five opinions are below:

From March 13-19, state supreme courts issued 142 opinions nationally. The Hawaii Supreme Court issued the most with 25. State supreme courts in 18 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 68 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 74. 

The Florida Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Carlos Muñiz. The court issued 108 opinions in 2022 and 115 in 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 7,423 opinions in 2022 and 8,320 in 2021. The courts have issued 1,366 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 729 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 637.  Florida is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.

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Donna Deegan (D), Daniel Davis (R) advance to May 16 runoff in Jacksonville mayoral election

By Ellen Morrissey
In Local
March 22, 2023 at 5:55 PM

Donna Deegan (D) and Daniel Davis (R) will advance to the May 16, 2023, runoff election for mayor of Jacksonville, Florida. On election night, with 94% of precincts reporting, Deegan led with 40% of the vote, followed by Davis with 25%. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the top-two finishers advanced to the runoff. 

Al Ferraro (R), who received 16% of the vote when the race was called, was the only other candidate to finish with more than 10%. Audrey Gibson (D), LeAnna Cumber (R), Frank Keasler (R), Omega Allen (I), and write-in Brian Griffin (I) also ran.

Deegan is a philanthropist, author, and local television news anchor. This was her first run for elected office. Deegan completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, where she listed “improvements in infrastructure, public health, housing affordability, and an inclusive economy,” advocating for women and families, and improving downtown Jacksonville as her key messages. Click here to read her full survey.

Davis is the chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives. His key messages included investing in public safety and improving public schools. Regarding his economic priorities, he wrote on his campaign website, “We can grow jobs AND prepare infrastructure. We can have success at the Port AND protect the river. We can create world class amenities for sports and entertainment opportunities for everyone AND perform the nuts and bolts of government.”

Incumbent Mayor Lenny Curry (R) is term-limited and could not run for re-election. Jacksonville has had a Republican mayor since Curry was elected in 2015, making it the most populous American city with a Republican mayor. In 2015, Curry defeated then-incumbent Alvin Brown (D) 51% to 49% in the May runoff election. The 2019 mayoral election was decided in the March general election, with Curry receiving 58% of the vote over Anna Lopez Brosche’s (R) 24%, Omega Allen’s (I) 11%, and Jimmy Hill’s (R) 8%.

As of March 2023, the partisan breakdown of the mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities was 62 Democrats, 26 Republicans, three independents, and seven nonpartisans. Two mayors’ partisan affiliations were unknown. Based on 2020 population estimates, 76.1% of the population of the top 100 cities lived in cities with Democratic mayors, and 16.2% lived in cities with Republican mayors at the start of 2022.

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Election legislation roundup: Florida House of Representatives

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 20, 2023 at 2:09 AM

As of March 12, Ballotpedia has tracked 12 election-related bills in the Florida House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 12, Ballotpedia tracked four from March 6-12. Democrats sponsored three, while Republicans sponsored one. The four bills are:   

  • FL H1507: Voting Rights, Rep. Angela Nixon (D). 
  • FL H1565: Town of Fort White, Columbia County, Rep. Robert Brannan (R).
  • FL H1325: Broward County, Rep. Dan Daley (D). 
  • FL H1469: Elections, Rep. Dotie Joseph (D). 

During the week of March 6-12, Ballotpedia tracked 45 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 12, Ballotpedia has tracked 990 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 135, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero.

As of March 12, Ballotpedia has tracked 557 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 335 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 98 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control. 

The Florida House is scheduled to be in session from March 7 to May 5 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 13 House bills related to election administration. Zero of these bills passed both chambers. Florida is a Republican trifecta.

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Election legislation roundup: Florida State Senate

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 20, 2023 at 1:39 AM

As of March 12, Ballotpedia has tracked 11 election-related bills in the Florida State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 11, Ballotpedia tracked four from March 6-12. Democrats sponsored three, while Republicans sponsored one. The four bills are:   

  • FL S1560: Limited English-proficient Voter Assistance, Sen. Victor Torres (D).  
  • FL S1622: District School Board Elections, Sen. Joseph Gruters (R). 
    • Specifies that if there are no more than two candidates, not including write-in candidates, qualifying for a district school board election, the election will be placed on the general election ballot.
    • Specifies that if there is a primary election, the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election.
    • Specifies what to do in the case of a tie.
  • FL S1696: Restoration of Voting Rights Information on Sentencing Scoresheets, Sen. Shevrin Jones (D). 
    • Prohibits those convicted of a felony or seemed by the state to be mentally incompetent from voting or holding office until restoration of civil rights or removal of disability.
    • Specifies that voting rights are restored for those convicted of a felony when all terms of a sentence are completed, including parole and probation.
    • Prohibits anyone convicted of murder or felony sexual offense from voting until restoration of civil rights.
    • Stipulates that to complete all terms of a sentence, and to having voting rights restored, a person must fulfill a list of requirements and outlines all of the requirements.
    • Specifies that a term to be completed is deemed completed if the court modifies the original sentencing order to no longer require completion of the term.
    • Clarifies that the department will review information related to a voter registration as a part of restoration of rights to determine whether the person is eligible to vote and specifies that the supervisor of elections may request additional information to make a determination, and also specifies that a provision susceptible to differing interpretations must be construed in favor of the registrant.
  • FL S1668: Restoration of Voting Rights, Tracie Davis (D). 
    • Requires the Department of State to adopt procedures for reviewing information about deceased, mentally incapacitated, and convicted felon individuals who are ineligible to be registered voters by January 31, 2024.
    • Outlines procedures for removing someone from the statewide voter registration list, and notifying the person, if they are deemed ineligible.
    • Requires an explanation of how to have voting rights restored in the notification, including contact information for the appropriate individual.
    • Outlines what constitutes an affirmative defense in a voting fraud crime related to voting or registering when ineligible.

During the week of March 6-12, Ballotpedia tracked 27 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of March 12, Ballotpedia has tracked 659 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 120, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in Louisiana, Massachusetts, and West Virginia with zero.

As of March 12, Ballotpedia has tracked 356 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 230 Senate bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 73 Senate bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The Florida Senate is scheduled to be in session from March 7 to May 5 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 16 Senate bills related to election administration. Four of these bills passed both chambers and three were enacted into law. Florida is a Republican trifecta.

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