Miami-Dade Mayoral Candidate Sues to Block Shutdown of Early Voting

Miami-Dade mayoral candidate Marcelo Llorente sought on Wednesday to reinstate early voting this Sunday in advance of the county's special election.

Calling the shutdown of Sunday's vote a violation of existing state statute, Llorente called the early termination "illogical and unlawful." The 2011 Florida Legislature passed a bill shortening early voting period, but that measure, part of an omnibus election reform package, has not been signed by Gov. Rick Scott.

In filing his complaint with the 11th Circuit Court in Miami, Llorente, a former Republican legislator, requested an emergency hearing on Thursday.

Charging that "our county has not defended the rights of residents," Llorente noted that more than 4,000 ballots were cast on the Sunday before Miami-Dade's recent recall election and some 2,000 votes were cast last Sunday.

Also on Tuesday's special-election ballot are a handful of County Commission contests and several proposed charter-reform amendments.

Llorente is vying in a race of 11 candidates seeking to fill the unexpired term of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, who was recalled amid controversy over a Marlins stadium deal and tax increases. Llorente said he had not reached out to any of the other candidates before filing suit.