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Board reviews counsel guidance on ‘Coffee with Candidates’ events and Sunshine/Election rules
Summary
Board members reviewed District Counsel's written guidance that incumbent supervisors should hold separate events per seat to avoid potential Sunshine Law violations and were reminded the Florida Election Commission enforces complaints but does not provide advisory opinions.
The Board discussed District Counsel's written response about a proposed "Coffee with Candidates" event. Chair Kathleen Lonergan read counsel's email aloud, quoting: "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."
Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes said "our guy" would not attend given the interpretation of campaign and Sunshine rules, and members compared District Counsel's guidance with an HPCA attorney opinion and portions of Florida statute. The Board did not take formal action on the event but noted that the Florida Election Commission enforces complaints and is not an advisory body; District Counsel recommended separate events to reduce risk of violating the Sunshine Law.
