JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Nearly 100 people filed the necessary paperwork and fees to get their names on this November's ballot as qualifying for upcoming elections ended Friday at noon.
Elections staff worked to field candidates, including two -- John Winkler and Bill Hodges -- who got their paperwork in right before the deadline.
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The Duval County Clerk of Court's race is getting attention as six people are challenging the incumbent, Jim Fuller.
Fuller does not see terms limits as being an issue even though the Florida Supreme Court recently upheld limits in Broward County.
"The Broward case had to do with ... constitutional officers, which is everybody but the Clerk of Courts. I don't work for the county or the city. I am a judicial officer so I think that is a big difference," said Fuller.
The incumbent says he has retained legal counsel in the advent there is a legal challenge to his name being on the ballot.
Winkler, who ran against Fuller four years ago, is in the race again. The President of Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County says he's prepared as a candidate to challenge Fuller in court if necessary.
"There is absolutely no reason why the will of the voters as expressed in 1992 when we passed term limits should remain frustrated beyond the twenty years now that it has been prevented from going into effect," said Winkler.
Elections Supervisor Jerry Holland says he is taking his legal cues from the city's General Counsel.
"Their opinion was that he (Fuller) should not be on the ballot, but that the Supervisor of Elections in an administration role must accept his application if he feels he is qualified to be on the ballot," said Holland.
School board member Betty Burney, who had considered a third term, did not qualify to run again. Burney said she has no problems with term limits.
The city's first election will be in August with the general election being in November.
First Coast News