A judge has the power to decide whether any candidates are sworn in to the village council tonight, as expected — and if those candidates can be only the original winners of Wellington’s disputed election. Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Robin Rosenberg is expected by this morning to decide whether to hold a hearing today to determine if Wellington’s canvassing board can certify only the village’s March 13 election results. According to a complaint filed Friday by former Wellington Mayor Kathy Foster and Wellington resident Gaye Scarpa, it would be “unlawful” for that board to accept any other results. That’s why they want the judge to stop the board from possibly swearing in candidates whom a March 19 revised tally of votes revealed to be the winners. Three other lawsuits, including one filed Monday, support the March 19 results.
The big question looming over all the results from Wellington’s three council races is whether the election results have been officially certified. That question apparently doesn’t have a straightforward answer.
A lawyer representing Foster and Scarpa, Glenn Burhans Jr., told Rosenberg on Monday that allowing the canvassing board to accept the revised results is “completely unsanctioned by Florida law.” Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Susan Bucher on March 16 certified the original election results to the state. But under Wellington’s charter, the ultimate body to certify results is its canvassing board — which is scheduled at 6 p.m. today to decide whether to accept original results or the revised tallies.
Full Article: Judge expected to hold hearing on Wellington election today.