The Florida Senate

103.011  Electors of President and Vice President.

103.021  Nomination for presidential electors.

103.022  Write-in candidates for President and Vice President.

103.051  Congress sets meeting dates of electors.

103.061  Meeting of electors and filling of vacancies.

103.062  Plurality of votes to fill vacancy; proceeding in case of tie.

103.071  Compensation of electors.

103.081  Use of party name; political advertising.

103.091  Political parties.

103.101  Presidential preference primary.

103.121  Powers and duties of executive committees.

103.131  Political party offices deemed vacant in certain cases.

103.141  Removal of county executive committee member for violation of oath.

103.161  Removal or suspension of officers or members of state executive committee or county executive committee.

103.011  Electors of President and Vice President.--Electors of President and Vice President, known as presidential electors, shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each year the number of which is a multiple of 4. Votes cast for the actual candidates for President and Vice President shall be counted as votes cast for the presidential electors supporting such candidates. The Department of State shall certify as elected the presidential electors of the candidates for President and Vice President who receive the highest number of votes.

History.--ss. 2, 3, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 157; s. 4, ch. 4328, 1895; s. 3, ch. 4537, 1897; GS 174; RGS 218; CGL 253; s. 2, ch. 25383, 1949; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 32, ch. 77-175.

Note.--Former s. 98.07.

103.021  Nomination for presidential electors.--Candidates for presidential electors shall be nominated in the following manner:

(1)  The Governor shall nominate the presidential electors of each political party. The state executive committee of each political party shall by resolution recommend candidates for presidential electors and deliver a certified copy thereof to the Governor before September 1 of each presidential election year. The Governor shall nominate only the electors recommended by the state executive committee of the respective political party. Each such elector shall be a qualified elector of the party he or she represents who has taken an oath that he or she will vote for the candidates of the party that he or she is nominated to represent. The Governor shall certify to the Department of State on or before September 1, in each presidential election year, the names of a number of electors for each political party equal to the number of senators and representatives which this state has in Congress.

(2)  The names of the presidential electors shall not be printed on the general election ballot, but the names of the actual candidates for President and Vice President for whom the presidential electors will vote if elected shall be printed on the ballot in the order in which the party of which the candidate is a nominee polled the highest number of votes for Governor in the last general election.

(3)  Candidates for President and Vice President with no party affiliation may have their names printed on the general election ballots if a petition is signed by 1 percent of the registered electors of this state, as shown by the compilation by the Department of State for the last preceding general election. A separate petition from each county for which signatures are solicited shall be submitted to the supervisor of elections of the respective county no later than July 15 of each presidential election year. The supervisor shall check the names and, on or before the date of the primary election, shall certify the number shown as registered electors of the county. The supervisor shall be paid by the person requesting the certification the cost of checking the petitions as prescribed in s. 99.097. The supervisor shall then forward the certificate to the Department of State which shall determine whether or not the percentage factor required in this section has been met. When the percentage factor required in this section has been met, the Department of State shall order the names of the candidates for whom the petition was circulated to be included on the ballot and shall permit the required number of persons to be certified as electors in the same manner as party candidates.

(4)(a)  A minor political party that is affiliated with a national party holding a national convention to nominate candidates for President and Vice President of the United States may have the names of its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States printed on the general election ballot by filing with the Department of State a certificate naming the candidates for President and Vice President and listing the required number of persons to serve as electors. Notification to the Department of State under this subsection shall be made by September 1 of the year in which the election is held. When the Department of State has been so notified, it shall order the names of the candidates nominated by the minor political party to be included on the ballot and shall permit the required number of persons to be certified as electors in the same manner as other party candidates. As used in this section, the term "national party" means a political party established and admitted to the ballot in at least one state other than Florida.

(b)  A minor political party that is not affiliated with a national party holding a national convention to nominate candidates for President and Vice President of the United States may have the names of its candidates for President and Vice President printed on the general election ballot if a petition is signed by 1 percent of the registered electors of this state, as shown by the compilation by the Department of State for the preceding general election. A separate petition from each county for which signatures are solicited shall be submitted to the supervisors of elections of the respective county no later than July 15 of each presidential election year. The supervisor shall check the names and, on or before the date of the primary election, shall certify the number shown as registered electors of the county. The supervisor shall be paid by the person requesting the certification the cost of checking the petitions as prescribed in s. 99.097. The supervisor shall then forward the certificate to the Department of State, which shall determine whether or not the percentage factor required in this section has been met. When the percentage factor required in this section has been met, the Department of State shall order the names of the candidates for whom the petition was circulated to be included on the ballot and shall permit the required number of persons to be certified as electors in the same manner as other party candidates.

(5)  When for any reason a person nominated or elected as a presidential elector is unable to serve because of death, incapacity, or otherwise, the Governor may appoint a person to fill such vacancy who possesses the qualifications required for the elector to have been nominated in the first instance. Such person shall file with the Governor an oath that he or she will support the same candidates for President and Vice President that the person who is unable to serve was committed to support.

History.--s. 1, ch. 25143, 1949; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 61-364; s. 1, ch. 67-353; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; ss. 7, 8, ch. 70-269; s. 1, ch. 70-439; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 8, ch. 83-251; s. 13, ch. 85-80; s. 603, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 99-318; s. 61, ch. 2005-277; s. 18, ch. 2005-286.

Note.--Former s. 102.011.

103.022  Write-in candidates for President and Vice President.--Persons seeking to qualify for election as write-in candidates for President and Vice President of the United States may have a blank space provided on the general election ballot for their names to be written in by filing an oath with the Department of State at any time after the 57th day, but before noon of the 49th day, prior to the date of the primary election in the year in which a presidential election is held. The Department of State shall prescribe the form to be used in administering the oath. The candidates shall file with the department a certificate naming the required number of persons to serve as electors. Such write-in candidates shall not be entitled to have their names on the ballot.

History.--s. 15, ch. 81-105; s. 9, ch. 83-251; s. 19, ch. 2005-286.

103.051  Congress sets meeting dates of electors.--The presidential electors shall, on the day that is directed by Congress and at the time fixed by the Governor, meet at Tallahassee and perform the duties required of them by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

History.--s. 6, ch. 71, 1847; RS 204; GS 288; RGS 384; CGL 449; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 62, ch. 2005-277.

Note.--Former s. 105.01.

103.061  Meeting of electors and filling of vacancies.--Each presidential elector shall, on the day fixed by Congress to elect a President and Vice President and at the time fixed by the Governor, give notice to the Governor that the elector is in Tallahassee and ready to perform the duties of presidential elector. The Governor shall forthwith deliver to the presidential electors present a certificate of the names of all the electors; and if, on examination thereof, it should be found that one or more electors are absent, the electors present shall elect by ballot, in the presence of the Governor, a person or persons to fill such vacancy or vacancies as may have occurred through the nonattendance of one or more of the electors.

History.--s. 8, ch. 71, 1847; RS 206; GS 290; RGS 386; CGL 451; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 85-19; s. 604, ch. 95-147; s. 63, ch. 2005-277.

Note.--Former s. 105.03.

103.062  Plurality of votes to fill vacancy; proceeding in case of tie.--If any more than the number of persons required to fill the vacancy as provided by s. 103.061 receive the highest and an equal number of votes, then the election of those receiving such highest and equal number of votes shall be determined by lot drawn by the Governor in the presence of the presidential electors attending; otherwise, those, to the number required, receiving the highest number of votes, shall be considered elected to fill the vacancy.

History.--s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 2, ch. 67-353; s. 32, ch. 77-175.

Note.--Former s. 103.031.

103.071  Compensation of electors.--Each presidential elector attending as such in Tallahassee shall be reimbursed for his or her travel expenses, as provided in s. 112.061, from the elector's place of residence to Tallahassee and return. Such expenses shall be paid upon approval of the Governor. The amounts necessary to meet the requirements of this section shall be included in the legislative budget request of the Governor. If the amounts appropriated for this purpose are insufficient, the Executive Office of the Governor may release the necessary amounts from the deficiency appropriation.

History.--s. 12, ch. 71, 1847; RS 210; GS 294; RGS 390; CGL 455; ss. 7, chs. 26869, 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 61-32; s. 6, ch. 63-400; ss. 2, 3, ch. 67-371; ss. 31, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 86, ch. 79-190; s. 605, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 105.07.

103.081  Use of party name; political advertising.--

(1)  No person shall use the name, abbreviation, or symbol of any political party, the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is filed with the Department of State, in political advertising in newspapers, other publications, handbills, radio or television, or any other form of advertising in connection with any political activities in support of a candidate of any other party, unless such person shall first obtain the written permission of the chair of the state executive committee of the party the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is to be used.

(2)  No person or group of persons shall use the name, abbreviation, or symbol of any political party, the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is filed with the Department of State, in connection with any club, group, association, or organization of any kind unless approval and permission have been given in writing by the state executive committee of such party. This subsection shall not apply to county executive committees of such parties and organizations which are chartered by the national executive committee of the party the name, abbreviation, or symbol of which is to be used, or to organizations using the name of any political party which organizations have been in existence and organized on a statewide basis for a period of 10 years.

(3)  A political party may file with the Department of State names of groups or committees associated with the political party. Such filed names may not be used without first obtaining the written permission of the chair of the state executive committee of the party.

History.--s. 6, ch. 6469, 1913; RGS 304; CGL 360; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 26, ch. 29934, 1955; s. 1, ch. 57-202; s. 1, ch. 61-424; s. 3, ch. 67-353; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 606, ch. 95-147; s. 35, ch. 2007-30.

Note.--Former s. 102.06.

103.091  Political parties.--

(1)  Each political party of the state shall be represented by a state executive committee. County executive committees and other committees may be established in accordance with the rules of the state executive committee. A political party may provide for the selection of its national committee and its state and county executive committees in such manner as it deems proper. Unless otherwise provided by party rule, the county executive committee of each political party shall consist of at least two members, a man and a woman, from each precinct, who shall be called the precinct committeeman and committeewoman. For counties divided into 40 or more precincts, the state executive committee may adopt a district unit of representation for such county executive committees. Upon adoption of a district unit of representation, the state executive committee shall request the supervisor of elections of that county, with approval of the board of county commissioners, to provide for election districts as nearly equal in number of registered voters as possible. Each county committeeman or committeewoman shall be a resident of the precinct from which he or she is elected. Each state committeeman or committeewoman must be a member in good standing of the county executive committee for the county in which the state committeeman or committeewoman is a registered voter.

(2)  The state executive committee of a political party may by resolution provide a method of election of national committeemen and national committeewomen and of nomination of presidential electors, if such party is entitled to a place on the ballot as otherwise provided for presidential electors, and may provide also for the election of delegates and alternates to national conventions.

(3)  The state executive committee of each political party shall file with the Department of State the names and addresses of its chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, and members and shall file a copy of its constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations with the Department of State. Each county executive committee shall file with the state executive committee and with the supervisor of elections the names and addresses of its officers and members.

(4)  Any political party other than a minor political party may by rule provide for the membership of its state or county executive committee to be elected for 4-year terms at the primary election in each year a presidential election is held. The terms shall commence on the first day of the month following each presidential general election; but the names of candidates for political party offices shall not be placed on the ballot at any other election. The results of such election shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast. In such event, electors seeking to qualify for such office shall do so with the Department of State or supervisor of elections not earlier than noon of the 71st day, or later than noon of the 67th day, preceding the primary election. The outgoing chair of each county executive committee shall, within 30 days after the committee members take office, hold an organizational meeting of all newly elected members for the purpose of electing officers. The chair of each state executive committee shall, within 60 days after the committee members take office, hold an organizational meeting of all newly elected members for the purpose of electing officers.

(5)  In the event no county committeeman or committeewoman is elected, or a vacancy occurs from any other cause in any county executive committee, the county chair shall call a meeting of the county executive committee by due notice to all members, and the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Such vacancy shall be filled by a qualified member of the political party residing in the district where the vacancy occurred and for the unexpired portion of the term.

(6)(a)  In addition to the members provided for in subsection (1), each county executive committee shall include all members of the Legislature who are residents of the county and members of their respective political party and who shall be known as at-large committeemen and committeewomen.

(b)  Each state executive committee shall include, as at-large committeemen and committeewomen, all members of the United States Congress representing the State of Florida who are members of the political party, all statewide elected officials who are members of the party, 10 Florida registered voters who are members of the party as appointed by the Governor if the Governor is a member of the party, and the President of the Senate or the Minority Leader in the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, whichever is a member of the political party, and 20 members of the Legislature who are members of the political party. Ten of the legislators shall be appointed with the concurrence of the state chair of the respective party, as follows: five to be appointed by the President of the Senate; five by the Minority Leader in the Senate; five by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and five by the Minority Leader in the House.

(c)  When a political party allows any member of the state executive committee to have more than one vote per person, other than by proxy, in a matter coming before the state executive committee, the 20 members of the Legislature appointed under paragraph (b) shall not be appointed to the state executive committee and the following elected officials who are members of that political party shall be appointed and shall have the following votes:

1.  Governor: a number equal to 15 percent of votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

2.  Lieutenant Governor: a number equal to 5 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

3.  Each member of the United States Senate representing the state: a number equal to 10 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

4.  Attorney General: a number equal to 5 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

5.  Chief Financial Officer: a number equal to 5 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

6.  Commissioner of Agriculture: a number equal to 5 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

7.  President of the Senate: a number equal to 10 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

8.  Minority leader of the Senate: a number equal to 10 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

9.  Speaker of the House of Representatives: a number equal to 10 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen;

10.  Minority leader of the House of Representatives: a number equal to 10 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen; and

11.  Each member of the United States House of Representatives representing the state: a number equal to 1 percent of the votes cast by state executive committeemen and committeewomen.

(d)1.  The governing body of each state executive committee as defined by party rule shall include as at-large committeemen and committeewomen all statewide elected officials who are members of such political party; up to four members of the United States Congress representing the state who are members of such political party and who shall be appointed by the state chair on the basis of geographic representation; the permanent presiding officer selected by the members of each house of the Legislature who are members of such political party; and the minority leader selected by the members of each house of the Legislature who are members of such political party.

2.  All members of the governing body shall have one vote per person.

(7)  Members of the state executive committee or governing body may vote by proxy.

(8)  The conducting of official business in connection with one's public office constitutes good and sufficient reason for failure to attend county or state executive committee meetings or a meeting of the governing body.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 2A, ch. 22039, 1943; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 22678, 1945; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 78-1; s. 22, ch. 79-164; s. 3, ch. 81-312; s. 12, ch. 82-143; s. 3, ch. 83-242; s. 33, ch. 84-302; s. 17, ch. 87-363; s. 607, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-197; s. 110, ch. 2003-261; s. 20, ch. 2005-286; s. 36, ch. 2007-30.

Note.--Former s. 102.71.

103.101  Presidential preference primary.--

(1)  Each political party other than a minor political party shall, on the last Tuesday in January in each year the number of which is a multiple of 4, elect one person to be the candidate for nomination of such party for President of the United States or select delegates to the national nominating convention, as provided by party rule.

(2)  There shall be a Presidential Candidate Selection Committee composed of the Secretary of State, who shall be a nonvoting chair; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the President of the Senate; the minority leader of each house of the Legislature; and the chair of each political party required to have a presidential preference primary under this section.

(a)  By October 31 of the year preceding the presidential preference primary, each political party shall submit to the Secretary of State a list of its presidential candidates to be placed on the presidential preference primary ballot or candidates entitled to have delegates appear on the presidential preference primary ballot. The Secretary of State shall prepare and publish a list of the names of the presidential candidates submitted. The Secretary of State shall submit such list of names of presidential candidates to the selection committee on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary. Each person designated as a presidential candidate shall have his or her name appear, or have his or her delegates' names appear, on the presidential preference primary ballot unless all committee members of the same political party as the candidate agree to delete such candidate's name from the ballot. The selection committee shall meet in Tallahassee on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary. The selection committee shall publicly announce and submit to the Department of State no later than 5 p.m. on the following day the names of presidential candidates who shall have their names appear, or who are entitled to have their delegates' names appear, on the presidential preference primary ballot. The Department of State shall immediately notify each presidential candidate designated by the committee. Such notification shall be in writing, by registered mail, with return receipt requested.

(b)  Any presidential candidate whose name does not appear on the list submitted to the Secretary of State may request that the selection committee place his or her name on the ballot. Such request shall be made in writing to the Secretary of State no later than the second Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary.

(c)  If a presidential candidate makes a request that the selection committee reconsider placing the candidate's name on the ballot, the selection committee will reconvene no later than the second Thursday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary to reconsider placing the candidate's name on the ballot. The Department of State shall immediately notify such candidate of the selection committee's decision.

(3)  A candidate's name shall be printed on the presidential preference primary ballot unless the candidate submits to the Department of State, prior to the second Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary, an affidavit stating that he or she is not now, and does not presently intend to become, a candidate for President at the upcoming nominating convention. If a candidate withdraws pursuant to this subsection, the Department of State shall notify the state executive committee that the candidate's name will not be placed on the ballot. The Department of State shall, no later than the third Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary, certify to each supervisor of elections the name of each candidate for political party nomination to be printed on the ballot.

(4)  The names of candidates for political party nominations for President of the United States shall be printed on official ballots for the presidential preference primary election and shall be marked, counted, canvassed, returned, and proclaimed in the same manner and under the same conditions, so far as they are applicable, as in other state elections. If party rule requires the delegates' names to be printed on the official presidential preference primary ballot, the name of the presidential candidates for that political party may not be printed separately, but the ballot may reflect the presidential candidate to whom the delegate is pledged. If, however, a political party has only one presidential candidate, neither the name of the candidate nor the names of the candidate's delegates shall be printed on the ballot.

(5)  The state executive committee of each party, by rule adopted at least 120 days prior to the presidential preference primary election, shall determine the number, and establish procedures to be followed in the selection, of delegates and delegate alternates from among each candidate's supporters. A copy of any rule adopted by the executive committee shall be filed with the Department of State within 7 days after its adoption and shall become a public record. The Department of State shall review the procedures and shall notify the state executive committee of each political party of any ballot limitations. The Department of State may promulgate rules for the orderly conduct of the presidential preference primary ballot.

(6)  Delegates must qualify no later than the second Friday in November of the year preceding the presidential preference primary in the manner provided by party rule.

(7)  All delegates shall be allocated as provided by party rule.

(8)  All names of candidates or delegates shall be listed as directed by the Department of State.

History.--s. 3, ch. 6469, 1913; RGS 301; CGL 357; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 22058, 1943; s. 1, ch. 22729, 1945; s. 1, ch. 25235, 1949; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 29947, 1955; s. 4, ch. 67-353; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, ch. 71-236; s. 2, ch. 75-246; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 14, ch. 82-143; s. 1, ch. 84-92; s. 1, ch. 86-97; s. 32, ch. 89-338; s. 15, ch. 91-45; s. 608, ch. 95-147; s. 28, ch. 2001-40; s. 3, ch. 2007-30.

Note.--Former ss. 102.03, 102.72.

103.121  Powers and duties of executive committees.--

(1)(a)  Each state and county executive committee of a political party shall have the power and duty:

1.  To adopt a constitution by two-thirds vote of the full committee.

2.  To adopt such bylaws as it may deem necessary by majority vote of the full committee.

3.  To conduct its meetings according to generally accepted parliamentary practice.

4.  To make party nomination when required by law.

5.  To conduct campaigns for party nominees.

6.  To raise and expend party funds. Such funds may not be expended or committed to be expended except after written authorization by the chair of the state or county executive committee.

(b)  The county executive committee shall receive payment of assessments upon candidates to be voted for in a single county except state senators and members of the House of Representatives and representatives to the Congress of the United States; and the state executive committees shall receive all other assessments authorized. All party assessments shall be 2 percent of the annual salary of the office sought by the respective candidate. All such committee assessments shall be remitted to the state executive committee of the appropriate party and distributed in accordance with subsection (5).

(2)  The chair and treasurer of an executive committee of any political party shall be accountable for the funds of such committee and jointly liable for their proper expenditure for authorized purposes only. The funds of each such state executive committee shall be publicly audited at the end of each calendar year and a copy of such audit furnished to the Department of State for its examination prior to April 1 of the ensuing year. When filed with the Department of State, copies of such audit shall be public documents. The treasurer of each county executive committee shall maintain adequate records evidencing receipt and disbursement of all party funds received by him or her, and such records shall be publicly audited at the end of each calendar year and a copy of such audit filed with the supervisor of elections and the state executive committee prior to April 1 of the ensuing year.

(3)  Any chair or treasurer of a state or county executive committee of any political party who knowingly misappropriates, or makes an unlawful expenditure of, or a false or improper accounting for, the funds of such committee is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(4)  The central committee or other equivalent governing body of each state executive committee shall adopt a rule which governs the time and manner in which the respective county executive committees of such party may endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend one or more candidates for such party's nomination for election. Upon adoption, such rule shall provide the exclusive method by which a county committee may so endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend. No later than the date on which qualifying for public office begins pursuant to s. 99.061, the chair of each county executive committee shall notify in writing the supervisor of elections of his or her county whether the county executive committee has endorsed or intends to endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend candidates for nomination pursuant to party rule. A copy of such notification shall be provided to the Secretary of State and to the chair of the appropriate state executive committee.

(5)  The state chair of each state executive committee shall return the 2-percent committee assessment for county candidates to the appropriate county executive committees only upon receipt of a written statement that such county executive committee chooses not to endorse, certify, screen, or otherwise recommend one or more candidates for such party's nomination for election and upon the state chair's determination that the county executive committee is in compliance with all Florida statutes and all state party rules, bylaws, constitutions, and requirements.

History.--ss. 20, 21, 23, 28, ch. 6469, 1913; RGS 324, 325, 327, 332; CGL 381, 382, 384, 389; s. 1, ch. 25389, 1949; s. 9, ch. 26329, 1949; s. 7, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 41, ch. 28156, 1953; s. 2, ch. 29935, 1955; s. 1, ch. 57-743; s. 1, ch. 61-157; s. 1, ch. 63-97; ss. 6, 7, 8, ch. 67-353; ss. 10, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 26, ch. 77-104; s. 32, ch. 77-175; s. 50, ch. 79-400; s. 1, ch. 82-160; s. 25, ch. 83-217; s. 2, ch. 83-242; s. 1, ch. 89-256; s. 609, ch. 95-147; s. 64, ch. 2005-277.

Note.--Former ss. 102.27, 102.28, 102.30, 102.35.

103.131  Political party offices deemed vacant in certain cases.--Every political party office shall be deemed vacant in the following cases:

(1)  By the death of the incumbent.

(2)  By his or her resignation.

(3)  By his or her removal.

(4)  By his or her ceasing to be an inhabitant of the state, district, or precinct for which he or she shall have been elected or appointed.

(5)  By his or her refusal to accept the office.

(6)  The conviction of the incumbent of any felony.

(7)  The decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his or her election or appointment, and his or her removal by said tribunal.

(8)  By his or her failure to attend, without good and sufficient reason, three consecutive meetings, regular or called, of the committee of which he or she is a member.

History.--s. 1, ch. 59-68; s. 1, ch. 61-122; s. 9, ch. 67-353; s. 610, ch. 95-147.

103.141  Removal of county executive committee member for violation of oath.--

(1)  Where the county executive committee by at least a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the committee, attending a meeting held after due notice has been given and at which meeting a quorum is present, determines an incumbent county executive committee member to be guilty of an offense involving a violation of the member's oath of office, said member so violating his or her oath shall be removed from office and the office shall be deemed vacant. Provided, however, if the county committee wrongfully removes a county committee member and the committee member so wrongfully removed files suit in the circuit court alleging his or her removal was wrongful and wins said suit, the committee member shall be restored to office and the county committee shall pay the costs incurred by the wrongfully removed committee member in bringing the suit, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(2)  Any officer, county committeeman, county committeewoman, precinct committeeman, precinct committeewoman, or member of a county executive committee may be removed from office pursuant to s. 103.161.

History.--s. 10, ch. 67-353; s. 611, ch. 95-147; s. 37, ch. 2007-30.

103.161  Removal or suspension of officers or members of state executive committee or county executive committee.--

(1)  The chair of the state executive committee is empowered to remove or suspend from an office within the chair's political party any officer, state committeeman, state committeewoman, county committeeman, county committeewoman, precinct committeeman, precinct committeewoman, or other member of a state executive committee, county executive committee, political party club, or other organization using the political party name as provided in s. 103.081 for a violation of the oath of office taken by such individual or for engaging in other activities described in this section.

(2)  Such violation may include engaging in activities that have or could have injured the name or status of the political party or interfered with the activities of the political party. The chair has sole discretion to determine if a violation occurred.

(3)  Upon the chair's determination that a violation of the oath of office occurred or that an individual engaged in other activities described in this section, the chair may remove or suspend the individual from his or her office. If the chair removes the individual from office, the office shall be deemed vacant upon the delivery of the chair's written order of removal to the individual. When a vacancy in office is created, the chair shall appoint an individual to serve through the end of the term of the office. If the chair suspends the individual, the chair shall determine the length of the suspension.

(4)  An individual removed from office by the chair shall not be eligible to serve on the state executive committee or any county executive committee of the political party for a period of no less than 4 years from the effective date of the removal.

History.--s. 39, ch. 2007-30.