FL H1177

Requires Board of Supervisors members of the Sunshine Drainage District to be elected by qualified electors of the district rather than appointed, making this the exclusive method for board member selection.

First election held in November 2020 with three seats elected at-large; seats 1 and 2 candidates serve 4-year terms while seat 3 candidate serves a 2-year term; thereafter all members serve 4-year terms with elections every 2 years for expiring seats.

Candidates must be electors and residents of the district, conduct campaigns under Chapter 106 Florida Statutes, and qualify by paying a filing fee (3% of annual salary) plus election assessment (1% of annual salary) or submitting a petition signed by 1% of qualified electors.

Elections are nonpartisan and conducted by the Broward County Supervisor of Elections, who appoints election officials, prepares ballots, designates polling places, and canvasses returns; the county canvassing board certifies results.

Qualified electors are defined as persons at least 18 years old who are U.S. citizens, permanent state residents, and residents of the county where district lands are located when registration books are open.