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While the session doesn't begin until March 4, the new Legislature is holding committee meetings in Tallahassee and bills are being filed. The primary voting priority for LWVFL is elimination of the "write-in loophole."
In Florida, primary elections are typically closed, meaning only registered party members can vote in their respective party's primary. However, if only candidates from one party are running for a particular office, the primary is opened to all voters, regardless of party affiliation. This ensures that the winner of the primary will effectively win the general election, as there are no opposing candidates from other parties.
The loophole comes into play when a write-in candidate files to run in the general election. Even though write-in candidates have little chance of winning, their mere presence on the ballot closes the primary to only registered party members. This tactic is frequently used to close the primary, and many voters, especially independents and those from the opposing party, are excluded from participating in the election process. This can significantly impact the outcome of elections, as it restricts the decision-making to a smaller, more homogeneous group of voters.
When using this tactic, the write-in candidates are called "ghost candidates". They have no intention of actively campaigning or winning but are strategically placed to close the primary. This loophole can impact elections and raise questions about election manipulation and the ethics of allowing such candidates to disenfranchise non-party voters. In 2024 alone, this disenfranchised over 2 million voters. This will require an amendment to the Florida Constitution, which the Florida legislature could place on the 2026 ballot.
More details about this issue and the state League's legislative priorities will be forthcoming. You can sign up to track bills in Florida Senate and House at links below.
Florida Senate: https://www.flsenate.gov/
Florida House: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
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