This is the first of a three-part series on the write-in candidates for Orange County Clerk of Courts.
_______. On this year’s ballot, there will be opportunities involving a blank line to empower voters to write-in their choice for change and progress. Very few are likely aware of this right now. In the race for Clerk of Courts, Tim Adams and Randy Ross, two Democratic write-in candidates, are learning a lot on the path to public service thanks to that blank line and they are offering some lessons to the community at the same time.
The tale of a write-in candidate is full of struggle from the start. Lacking a printed name on the ballot, many voters do not even realize the option they have in some races. A write-in qualifies for office like every candidate; write-ins simply forgo paying the “qualifying fee,” often a percentage of that office’s salary, to put a name on the ballot. This means voters have to literally “write-in” the candidates name for the vote to count. For Clerk of Court, the qualifying fee is $9,000.
That’s led to two different, but engaging and creative local campaigns to make voters aware in Orange County. Lack of institutional support and focus from the local party has also proven to be an additional challenge for both write-ins.
In this case, despite the fact Ross and Adams are active Democrats and both are running because they believe a Democrat should be in the Clerk’s race, they are not included in printed or electronic party materials. According to the local DEC, historically, write-ins have never been included in past slate cards or even on the website. This year the local party did include both Adams and Ross on their website. Though “not the preferred scenario,” out of fairness and practicality the party left off write-ins from printed and social media materials ahead of November and caused a stir with these two Democrats.
One potential reason for that historic factor could be because the qualifying fee candidates pay is split between the party of the candidate and the government, meaning write-ins also cost the party some contributions from this revenue source. But the small gesture on the website did not appease these Democrats.
Adams questioned, “What could I do with the mere inclusion as a Democrat on the official slate cards? This is horrendous!” Ross also quickly responded, “I absolutely have issues with putting me on the website, yet still denying me on the voting guides and emails. Very hypocritical.”
On their own, each write-in is pushing forward towards Election Day with the hopes of shaking up the status quo. In the next two parts of this series, hear more about each campaign for Clerk of Court, their journey and reactions to the process. TIM ADAMS and RANDY ROSS are hoping you write their name in.
THank You, Mike for bringing the issues to the voters.
There is Absolutely NO Practicality in, NOR Fairness Near the Discrimination of leaving active supportive DEMICRATS off the Slate Cards. The Secision to do so was and is a result of Backroom. Deep, dark secret Conspiracies tha take MONEY from our community and uses the money for Elitist candidates, at the expense and damage if the entire Democraric Party, County-wide !
African American Candidates, such as Tim Adams paid money to the Democratic Party for more years than ANY other candidate this year, from 1970 through 1992 as a candidate for the State Legislature, when African Americans wee Nor treated Equally then or nor, and definitely not Fairly. Party even had All-White Democraric primaries during my Hifh school years in Orange County ! Now, we are Suppressed simply because we Exeecise our Rights to Become Write-In Clerk of Court Candidate. Write-in candidates have won in Phio, and South Carolina for Congress, and Alaska; So why the Discrimination; When Write-in Candidaresnhave also won in Florida, and in Local Elections.
why didnt they pay the fee to appear on the ballot? no way these are “legitimate” candidates if they dont appear on the ballot. maybe thats why the democratic party didnt list their candidacy? how much have these candidates raised or how much time has been spent knocking on doors. I bet not much.
Well, at least you had the cojones to put your name to this piece, Mike. After the call that the publisher got from one of their advertisers, did they tell you that you can’t continue your chicken sh*t form of “journalism”? Maybe you should write a “story” about that.
Thank you Michael for working hard to insure ALL “qualified” candidates are recognized. Simply stated, paying $9,000 to qualify for this elected office is totally unjustified. The clerk’s office is not designed nor working to support the working men & women it serves…and that needs to change.
If anyone would like to learn more about my platform they can go to http://www.RandyRoss2012.com or call me: 407.401.4409. They can also reach me on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?closeTheater=1#!/randy.ross1
Dear Anonymous: You are a Coward ! You will not place your name on a statement that you Did NOT pay to advertise. Yet, you have the nerve to ask why two Democrats didn’t spend their hard-earned nine thousand dollars to be placed on a ballot against millionaire Republications. The space between your ears must be awfully small.
Anonymous: you coward, You are challenged to do what we Brave Legitimate Candidates have done: state your name, your affiliations, your qualifications, such as arme you still on probation ? can you even Vote? We can !!!!!!
P. S. Mike, you have the skills and support in Central Florida to ore than make up the amount of the “Advertiser that the Subversive poster”, above is friends with.
There are more business persons who will pay for the Growing Audience of this Publication, and preserve Freedom of Speech, that the Communist poster has
Acted to use scare tactics in the Publication for. the culprits are most likely the group of people, who discriminated against us. Ignorance is bliss: many write-in candidates have won elections in Florida, Alaska, South Carolina and Ohio! Of course, an ignorant attempt by a low achieving poster would Nor Know that SeR of American Facts !
PLEASE email a copy of the Follow up story to us:
[email protected]
Democrats Take Notice: A Cause is only as good as it’s Constituents, SM
Campaign Specialist for the Jeff Ashton Victory; Sir LonnieThompson:
Lonnie you’ve been a Solid membeber of Consumer and Democratic Causes for all of the Best People. Your Dedication and Consumate Work with Susan Clary’s great Communications Skills enabled Orange and Osceola Counties to Win the Services of a Seasoned Reasoned new Progressive State Attorney. We admire your work to include our Ryan Williams Team to support your Ashton Team Victory!
[…] one of this series can be found here. Part three will spotlight Tim […]
[…] one of this series can be found here. Part two spotlighted Randy […]
[…] Part One can be found here. […]
Notice : Fellow Democrats; Resign to Run;
That law, is the Only Ethical Action Available under Florida law and Public Policy Ethics!
Update:
* Please let everyone know that: Joshua Pazy has the Information summary on Scott that we needed to share; and to have Voted for Rod on the Position of Tax Collector; Rod Eddins is a Certified Public Accountant, who is Honest, open, Fair; and who would conduct the duties faithfully, and without the Drama, Back Door politics of a Scott-type politician.
We could have won with Rod Eddins; we Risked losing with Stand-In Scott, who could Not even win Re-Election to his legislative House District!
* It was patently improper for Scott and his cronies to put his birthday in Front of our Very Somber and seriuous Business On Earl K. Woods’ last Monday: and his entry into the Consideration for the candidacy to Stand-In for our friend; Earl K. Woods Tax Collector Political Estate.
Scott violated Florida laws by refusing to step down from Chairman, and should have been Required to face Resignation to run; * as the Florida Law requires in other Elections.
To do otherwise, damages the Democratic Party, just as his Selfish and Retalitory actions in denying both Randolph Ross and Tim Adams to be listed on the Democratic Party Dlate cards; Since we were Both Democratic Candidates!
Scott was, and is dishonest, and his actions on both of these situations are extenely Unethical and violate laws.
Scott Randolph should resign from Chairing the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee,
Immediately; due to his backroom plots to steal the position of Tax Collector while he served as chairperson, and unethical
nominee!
Scott’s actions were, and are way out of line with Ethical Laws and his self – Serving actions are hurting the Credibility of our Democratic Party in a very detrimental manner!
Should the Vice Chairman make the same declaration to seek the Tax Collectors’ job and it’s one hundred fifty thousand salary; then the Party Secretary or Treasurer Should have Conducted ALL of the Proceedings today without any interference from Any if the Party Bosses, who were Applying for the Tax Collectors Office Nomination by our County Party Executive Committee.
This was and is a public office, and ethics laws do apply, FULLY!
Further, the OCDEC should have voted to have a hearing master certified by the Florida Supreme Court to read and explain the laws and rules, to us ad Democrats; who had No Ties to the candidates for nomination on the day that Earl Wood passed away.
* This is very urgent, and this request is the Public’s business and concern.
* This is Not a Private matter, and the Horner case is not Controlling; we are NOT the other Party!
There will be very many Diverse and Fair-minded Candidates for the Florida Democratic Party of Florida Chairmanship!
With Scott Randolph’s Elitist, obviously Racially Didcriminative Record as Orange County Chairman; we will see; That his blunder of Refusing to list The Democrats who are long – time Qualified and a Democratic Executive Members, including a Campaigner for Alan Grayson before Scott even noticed Congressman Grayson, and who us also a United States Military
Veterans, we will have to show Scott that his Decision to blatantly help The Republicans, by refusing to list the these Qualified Democrats on the Slate Cards
That was paid for by Party Money is misappropriation, and Missapplication
Of Democratic party Funds, therefore, he is in the same category of thieving Rubio and Greer, whose party Scott is helping by that Prejudiced and
Racially Disparate Decision to Exclude Two Democrats from the
Party’s Slate cards.
The money raised by all of our Democrats efforts Was NOT raised by Scott Alone, but by all of our efforts to make our party Strong, and Scott has Actually made us weaker, by Dividing us;
Scott Randolph’s most Famous remark was in 2008 at Church Street and Lee street, When he said in front of two hundred B. Obama Supporters; that
When Barak Obama BEAT Hillary Clinton, Scott randolph said:
That loss to Obama made him; ” mad as He’ll!!!”.
In political Circles, Scott;
Scott has gotten even with Those of us who are true Democrats, and
Obama supporters; We are now in Scott Randolph’s own words;
“Mad” with your Racist Decisions against Minority and U S Veteran
Voters, especially those who have won More Votes than you did as a legislative candidate,
Such as when Tim Adams, won-more than 131, 100 votes to the Rep. Challenger, In 2004, which was more than twice Scott’s vote total, in a county-wide
Election.
Very Bravely Signed:
Dr. Tim Adams, Th D, a Brave, Strong Vote generator, for a True
Party Chairman !, SM
News Commentary Extraordinary, SM
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