From: Mitchell Palmer
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2015 11:06 AM
To: Ed Hunzeker
Cc: Marianne Lopata; Betsy Benac; Carol Whitmore; Charles Smith; John Chappie; Larry Bustle; Robin
DiSabatino; Vanessa Baugh
Subject: RE: Order Appointing Electors for Manatee County Canvassing Board
The statute (F.S. 102.141) is a bit complicated. The chair of the BCC is required to serve on the
canvassing board, unless he or she has opposition in the election or is an active participant in the
campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the election being canvassed.
Should the chair of the BCC be required to step aside, then the easiest way to approach the matter is to
simply appoint a Commissioner who is not seeking re-election in 2016. In this scenario, the appointee
would be either Commissioner Whitmore, Commissioner Smith or Commissioner DiSabatino.
BUT, if any of the three Commissioners named above is an active participant in the campaign or
candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the election being canvassed, then he or she would also
be disqualified.
If all seven Commissioners wind up being disqualified, then the chief judge of the circuit shall appoint a
qualified elector.
While I will be happy to walk the Board through the process, I will nevertheless rely upon the
Administration to bring forward the agenda item in early 2016.
Mickey Palmer