To the Editor:
Thousands of Sumter County registered voters in the 2020 County Commissioners’ primary election were denied the right to vote.
Sumter County Commissioners are elected on a “Partisan” format. The partisan format requires all candidates to declare a political party before being placed on the ballot.
In the 2020 Primary there was no Democratic candidates on the ballot for County Commissioners. The Florida Election Code states in this situation the Democratic registered voters can vote in the primary because it in effect becomes a “General” election with the winners becoming elected Commissioner(s).
However, at the last minute Fake Candidates Jerry Prince and Peter Wahl, members of the Sumter County Republican Club Executive Committee, filed as “Write-In” candidates. Their action stoped thousands of voters from voting in the Primary. The term “Write-In” is considered a political party under the the Florida Election rules.
Voters can be assured to have their vote count is to have a “Non-Partisan” election format for County Commissioners. Thus, this would in future elections eliminate voter suppression as experienced in the 2020 election. All candidates in a “Non-Partisan” election are prohibited campaigning or qualifying for office based upon party affiliation.
Examples of existing Sumter County “Non-Partisan” contests are supervisors in The Villages Community Development Districts, School Board members and Municipalities (Webster, Coleman, Bushnell etc.)
Note: The Fake Candidates Prince and Wahl withdrew at the last minute their filing as “Write In” candidates which left no chance to revise the final ballot. The Fake Candidates actions have been or are being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Gilbert Windsor
Village of Bonita
