Judge Disqualifies North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme
A court ruling removes the incumbent from the race after he failed to use a campaign account for qualifying fees.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should minor filing errors disqualify a political candidate from appearing on the ballot in your community?
North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme has been disqualified from the upcoming mayoral election by a court ruling. Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez invalidated his candidacy after finding he paid qualifying fees with improper checks.
Why it matters
The disqualification leaves George Morgan as the sole candidate in the race. This ruling highlights strict adherence to election filing procedures regarding the source of candidate funds.
Alix Desulme submitted two cashier's checks totaling $5,392.80 on August 10. The court rejected his candidacy because these payments were not drawn on a verified candidate campaign account.
The players
Alix Desulme
He is the current Mayor of North Miami who was removed from the ballot following a court challenge to his campaign financing.
George Morgan
He is a political candidate in North Miami who filed the emergency complaint that led to the disqualification of his opponent.
Beatrice Butchko Sanchez
She is the Miami-Dade County judge who presided over the election challenge and issued the disqualification ruling.
The details
George Morgan filed an emergency complaint in Miami-Dade County court on October 8, arguing that the cashier's checks did not comply with local qualifying regulations. Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez ruled against the doctrine of substantial compliance, effectively removing Desulme from the ballot.
Timeline
August 10, 2026: Alix Desulme submitted candidate qualifying checks.
October 8, 2026: George Morgan filed an emergency complaint.
October 19, 2026: Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez issued the ruling.
October 22, 2026: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
Political Context
Opponents of the ruling argue that minor technical errors in fee payments should not disenfranchise voters by removing a candidate. This perspective favors the doctrine of substantial compliance to prioritize voter choice over rigid administrative adherence.
Residents of North Miami now face a mayoral race with only one candidate following the judicial disqualification. Voters should verify updated ballot information and deadlines with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections.
The takeaway
Candidates must ensure that all qualifying fees are strictly drawn from official campaign accounts to maintain ballot eligibility. Voters should monitor official election updates to see how this change impacts the final ballot structure.
Further reading
Learn more about local voting processes on the North Miami Elections page.
Live Poll
Should minor filing errors disqualify a political candidate from appearing on the ballot in your community?
