Appeals Court Upholds Removal of Candidate From Ballot
The Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that Morey Wright improperly filled out his campaign qualifying forms.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should cities hold special elections when a candidate is disqualified shortly before Election Day?
The Fourth District Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court decision to remove Morey Wright from the Tamarac commission ballot. Following this ruling, the city website now lists Mike Gelin as elected without opposition to a four-year term.
Why it matters
The disqualification centers on a technicality where Wright incorrectly listed himself as his own campaign's deputy treasurer on official paperwork. Because of this error, election officials lacked the time to update ballots before the start of early voting.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the removal of Morey Wright from the ballot due to filing errors. Mike Gelin is now declared elected for a 4-year term, pending potential court action on a special election lawsuit filed by 2 residents.
The players
Morey Wright
He is a candidate for the Tamarac commission who was removed from the ballot due to filing errors.
Mike Gelin
He is the candidate for the Tamarac commission who has been declared elected without opposition.
Michael Robinson
He is the Broward Circuit Court judge who originally ordered the removal of Morey Wright from the election ballot.
The details
Judge Michael Robinson initially ordered the removal of Wright from the race two weeks ago after finding errors in his campaign documentation. While Wright has not conceded the race, the Supervisor of Elections Office stated there was insufficient time to reprint ballots before early voting commenced.
Timeline
Two weeks prior to October 30, 2026: Judge Michael Robinson removed Wright from the ballot.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026: The Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld the removal.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Scheduled date of the Tamarac city election.
Political Context
The disqualification highlights the strict enforcement of Florida candidate qualifying requirements, which mandates precise completion of administrative filings to ensure ballot integrity. The outcome follows the established pattern of courts upholding these standards against technical filing errors.
Residents of Tamarac will see a changed ballot for the November 3 election, as Mike Gelin is now considered elected without opposition. This change effectively cancels the competitive race for the commission seat that voters were originally scheduled to decide.
The takeaway
Technical accuracy in campaign filings is critical for maintaining ballot eligibility in local municipal races. Candidates should ensure all administrative documentation is verified for compliance well before the start of the early voting period.
What happens next
A judge will soon determine whether a special election is required or if the disqualification for improper qualification remains final.
Further reading
For additional updates on local government, visit the Tamarac Elections section.
Live Poll
Should cities hold special elections when a candidate is disqualified shortly before Election Day?
