The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors will get its first popularly elected member this year — but candidates have only until April 20 to qualify for the ballot.
The LGWCD board adopted the procedures for the election Monday after Gov. Rick Scott signed the enabling legislation April 6, according to District Administrator Clete Saunier.
Once the election takes place, the board seat currently held by Supervisor Robert Snowball will be converted into the qualified elector seat. Snowball announced this week that he will not seek re-election to the board.
Due to a change in the district’s charter mandated by a referendum last year, one seat on the board is now reserved for a popular vote by “qualified electors.” A “qualified elector” under Florida statutes is a property owner or spouse who is also a registered voter. Candidates and voters taking part in the election must all fit the “qualified elector” definition.
The election will be held June 25, but qualifying opens at noon Monday, April 16 and closes at noon on April 20.
Candidates must register with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office during the qualification period and pay a $25 registration fee.
The language provided in the enabling legislation that addresses candidates who qualify with the Supervisor of Elections office was written in order to coincide with Judicial Candidate Qualifying, which also takes place next week, according to Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher.
More information about the qualified elector position is on the district’s web site at www.lgwcd.org.
