How to research judicial candidates ahead of Florida primary
ORLANDO, Fla. —
So, you’re scanning your primary election ballot and seeing a whole lot of names you don’t recognize. They’re either judges seeking re-election or attorneys who want to unseat a current judge or fill an open seat.
Florida has 630 circuit judges and 357 county judges, making it challenging for voters to determine who is best qualified, especially for those without experience in the court system.
“You have to do the work on it because judges aren’t allowed to go out and campaign,” said Susan MacManus, a political expert at the University of South Florida.
MacManus said that sitting judges are prohibited from openly campaigning or criticizing their opponents, which makes it harder for voters to evaluate them.
“The bottom line is, judges are the hardest. A judge position is the hardest one to decide who to vote for because most of these people are unknown,” MacManus said.
The first and easiest place to start online is the Florida Bar member profile page, which will list any discipline dating back 10 years. Judicial candidates can also post “voluntary disclosure statements” that provide insight on education, major cases they’ve handled, and other qualifications to serve on the bench.
For incumbent judges, voters can visit the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Qualifications Commission page.
For example, Judge Wayne Culver, a county judge in Seminole Circuit 18, is up for re-election. Culver was reprimanded and suspended for 60 days last year after cursing at defendants and threatening to jail them. He now faces challenges from two attorney opponents.