Two Tamarac voters have sued to delay the city’s District 2 commission election and reopen candidate qualifying, arguing that city officials broke local election law after a judge disqualified incumbent Commissioner Morey Wright Jr. over paperwork problems.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Broward County Circuit Court by District 2 residents Patti Lynn and Patti Fox. It names the City of Tamarac, City Manager Levent Sucuoglu, City Clerk Kimberly Dillon and Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott as defendants.
The plaintiffs say the city’s municipal code requires a delay of 45 to 60 days and a five-day supplemental qualifying period when a candidate is removed less than 45 days before an election. They contend the city should have reopened qualifying on Oct. 15, the day after Broward Circuit Judge Michael A. Robinson ruled against Wright.
Instead, the suit says, early voting is moving ahead for the Nov. 3 race with former Commissioner Mike Gelin as the only eligible candidate. Notices from the Broward Supervisor of Elections, sent starting around Oct. 20, tell voters the race is unopposed. The plaintiffs want those notices halted and votes already cast in the contest excluded.
Wright’s name remains on the printed ballots. His attorney has asked the Fourth District Court of Appeal to pause the disqualification while an appeal proceeds. Wright has said he will refile if a new qualifying period is ordered.
The plaintiffs have asked for an emergency court conference within two days. As of Friday, the city had not commented publicly, and a city spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
