Caruso Stays on Nov. 3 Ballot Despite 5 Felony Charges as GOP Weighs Aug. 27 Deadline
Updated
Updated · WPEC · Aug 18
Caruso Stays on Nov. 3 Ballot Despite 5 Felony Charges as GOP Weighs Aug. 27 Deadline
3 articles · Updated · WPEC · Aug 18
Summary
Florida law does not automatically remove Michael Caruso from the Nov. 3 special-election ballot even after his arrest Tuesday and suspension as Palm Beach County clerk.
Aug. 27 is the key date: if Caruso withdraws and Republicans name a replacement before primary certification, the new nominee can appear on the general-election ballot.
After certification, Caruso’s name would stay printed, but votes cast for him would be counted for the Republican replacement designated under the party’s vacancy process.
Caruso has no Republican primary opponent, so the party cannot simply swap him out absent a formal vacancy created by withdrawal, resignation, death or legal removal.
Shannon Ramsey-Chessman, the clerk office’s former chief of staff and chief deputy, was sworn in as ad interim clerk to keep the office operating during Caruso’s suspension.