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Counsel advises separate candidate events; board cautioned about Sunshine Law and election rules
Summary
District Counsel advised that incumbents who participate in any "Coffee with Candidates" event should ensure compliance with election rules and consider arranging separate events per seat to avoid potential Sunshine Law violations; the board noted differing advice from the HPCA attorney and discussed referring questions to the Florida Election Commission.
Board members reviewed District Counsel’s written response to questions about a proposed "Coffee with Candidates" event during the Oct. 15 meeting. Kathleen Lonergan read District Counsel’s guidance aloud: “If any incumbent Supervisor is interested in participating they will need to ensure compliance with the election code and I think it would be a fair request for them to ask them to arrange separate events per seat to avoid any potential Sunshine Law violations.”
Supervisor Arthur Rhodes said, referring to potential participation, that “our guy” would not attend because of the interpretation of campaign and Sunshine rules. Members noted that the HPCA attorney offered a differing opinion from District Counsel and that the Florida Election Commission enforces complaints rather than providing advisory opinions. No formal action was taken; the Board discussed whether to hold workshops or separate volunteer-hosted events instead of a combined candidate coffee.
