Tag: florida
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Maryland and Florida see leadership changes in ALJ corps
Leadership changes occurred this week in Maryland and Florida’s administrative law judge (ALJ) corps. The governor’s power to appoint head ALJs in these and similar states helps the executive direct and oversee state administrative activity. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) on June 9 appointed Chung Ki Pak to serve as the state’s new chief ALJ.…
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Candidate filing period ends for state executive and legislative offices in three states
The filing deadline has passed to run for state executive and legislative offices in Connecticut, Florida, and New Hampshire. The deadline passed for Connecticut on June 11. For Florida and New Hampshire, it passed on June 12. Candidates filed for the following state executive and legislative offices: Connecticut: State Senate (36 seats) and State House…
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Florida Supreme Court extends suspension of jury trials through July 17
On June 8, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady issued an order extending the suspension of civil and criminal jury trials through July 17. Jury trials were first suspended on March 13. The court subsequently extended that order, first through April 17, then through May 29, and again through July 2. Ballotpedia is tracking…
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Florida Supreme Court rules that the ballot summary for the Ban on Semiautomatic Rifles and Shotguns Initiative is misleading
In 4-1 decision, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the ballot summary of the Ban on Semiautomatic Rifles and Shotguns Initiative was misleading. Ban Assault Weapons NOW is sponsoring the measure targeting the 2022 ballot. The measure would ban possession of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, with certain exceptions involving registration requirements. The measure would define…
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Filing deadline for state executive and legislative candidates to pass in CT, FL, and NH
The filing deadlines to run for elected state offices in Connecticut, Florida, and New Hampshire will pass in the next week. Connecticut’s filing deadline is on June 11, and Florida and New Hampshire’s filing deadlines are on June 12. In Connecticut, prospective candidates may file for the following offices: State Senate (36 seats) State House…
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Florida to open bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters
Today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that starting June 5, bars will be able to reopen at 50% capacity inside and full capacity outside, with service only for seated patrons. Movie theaters and bowling alleys will also be permitted reopen at 50% capacity the same day. These new rules will apply to all counties…
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Florida State Senate District 20 special election set for November 3
A new state legislative special election has been added to our list. The special election is for the District 20 seat in the Florida State Senate on November 3, 2020. The primary is on August 18, and the filing deadline is on June 18.
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U.S. District Judge rules Florida cannot condition voting on financial obligations a felon is unable to pay
On May 24, 2020, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that Florida cannot prevent felony convicts from voting based on fines, fees, or restitution they are unable to pay. Florida voters approved Amendment 4, a citizen initiative, in 2018 by a vote of 65% in favor to 35% against. The initiative was designed to automatically…
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After two-month delay, Florida governor appoints two Florida Supreme Court justices
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appointed John Couriel and Renatha Francis to the Florida Supreme Court on May 26, 2020. Couriel and Francis succeeded Justices Robert J. Luck and Barbara Lagoa, who vacated the seats in November 2019 after being elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Couriel and Francis will join…
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Supreme Court of Florida delays jury trials through July 2
On May 4, 2020, Charles Canady, the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, issued a new emergency order extending the suspension of jury trials through July 2. The order also increases the number of proceedings that will be conducted remotely. The list includes non-jury trials, hearings in juvenile delinquency cases, and pretrial conferences. For…