Election Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Your campaign treasurer may serve as treasurer for more than one candidate or political committee. You or your spouse may serve as your campaign treasurer. Your campaign depository may be any bank, savings and loan association, or credit union authorized to transact business in the State of Florida. All contributions and expenditures are to be made through the campaign treasurer. The campaign treasurer is responsible for keeping detailed, current accounts within not more than 2 days after the date of receiving a contribution or making an expenditure. The campaign treasurer is responsible for filing the required treasurer’s reports.
A candidate is any person who:
- Appoints a campaign treasurer and designates a primary depository.
- Receives contributions or makes expenditures or gives consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bringing about his or her nomination, or election, or retention in public office.
- Seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of a petitioning process.
- Files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate’s oath as required by law.
To become a candidate for the City of Belle Isle City Council, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be a registered voter of the City of Belle Isle.
- Be a resident of the City of Belle Isle for at least one continuous year prior to the first day of the qualifying period.
Per F.S. 99.012(3)(c), No officer may qualify as a candidate for another public office (whether state, district, county, or municipal) if the terms or any part thereof run concurrently with each other, without resigning from the office currently held. The resignation is irrevocable.
The written resignation must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the first day of qualifying for the office. The resignation must be effective no later than the earlier of the following dates:
- The date the officer would take office if elected; or
- The date the officer’s successor is required to take office.
You may discuss your candidacy at any time. However, you are considered an “announced” candidate when you file your Appointment of Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9). You must file a completed Form DS-DE 9 with the city before you accept any campaign contributions or make any expenditure toward your campaign.
This form shows:
- Your name, address, and phone number.
- Name, address, and phone number of your campaign treasurer.
- Signature of campaign treasurer, showing acceptance of appointment.
- Name and address of your depository (bank).
- Seat number sought.
Form DS-DE 9 is not effective until the campaign treasurer signs it and it is filed with the city. F.S. 106.023 requires that, within 10 days of filing the Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository, you must file a Statement of Candidate with the city clerk, stating you have read and understood Chapter 106. (This form will be provided upon filing Form DS-DE 9.)
