TAMPA: Buddy Johnson, Supervisor of Elections for Hillsborough County, filed a response in circuit court declaring that he complied with all legal obligations in placing the county mayor ballot initiative on the November 2008 general election ballot. Supervisor Johnson outlines the restricted role of an elections official in the certification of petition initiatives and articulates his complete and full compliance with both the Hillsborough County Charter and Florida law.
Supervisor Johnson said, “As the Supervisor of Elections, I do not have a stake in the outcome of this or any other ballot initiative. My job as the elections administrator is to carry out the prescribed administrative duties properly and in a lawful manner, which is precisely what I have done.”
In compliance with the County Charter, Supervisor Johnson reviewed the petition format, and verified that people signing the petition were registered voters and that their signature matched the signature on file in the elections office database. After completing the verification process, Johnson then certified his findings to the Board of County Commissioners and is prepared to place the amendment on the 2008 November ballot in accordance with his ministerial responsibilities under the County Charter.
Supervisor Johnson’s ministerial duties are established by the County Charter and state law; and under the Charter, the Supervisor is authorized and directed to certify the beginning date of a petition drive, determine whether the petition contains the required number of valid signatures, and if the required number is met, the Supervisor must certify the information to the Board of County Commissioners and place the amendment on the ballot. Supervisor Johnson complied with each of the administrative requirements.
Supervisor Johnson carried out his duties and responsibilities in full compliance and strict adherence to governing laws. The Supervisor of Election has no stake in the ultimate outcome of the county mayor dispute and will comply with any order issued by the Court. A hearing is set for August 1, 2008. |
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