Broward County – After qualifying Mr. Francois as a write-in candidate for a county commission seat,
elections officials closed the 2014 primary ballot. Since all the other candidates were
Democrats, this meant only Democrats could vote. Ms. Brinkmann sued, arguing the
state constitution opens primaries to all voters when no opposition candidate will be
challenging the primary winner in the general election. She argued a write-in candidate
does not qualify as opposition. She also argued Mr. Francois should not be on the ballot
because he lived outside the district, in violation of state law. The trial court agreed but
the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed that ruling and ordered the election closed.
The 4th DCA also found the residency statute unconstitutional.