A Florida court has ruled that Morey Wright, Jr. is disqualified from running for the City of Tamarac Commissioner seat due to incomplete election paperwork. This ruling affects Wright's candidacy for the District 2 position in the upcoming election, emphasizing the importance of adhering to election laws.
The ruling comes from the District Court of Appeal of Florida, which affirmed a lower court's decision made on October 14, 2026. The case highlights the critical nature of compliance with election qualification requirements and serves as a reminder to candidates about the importance of properly completing all necessary forms.
Background
Morey Wright, Jr. sought to run for City Commissioner in Tamarac, Florida, representing District 2. On October 2, 2025, he filed a Form DS-DE 9 with the Department of State, Division of Elections, designating his campaign treasurer and a depository with the City Clerk. However, his initial filing was incomplete, failing to specify whether his chosen bank, Wells Fargo, was a primary or secondary depository.
As the qualifying period came to a close on June 12, 2026, Wright submitted another Form DS-DE 9. This second form was also incomplete, lacking critical information such as the designation of a primary depository and the appointment of a campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer. Despite these omissions, the City Clerk accepted Wright's paperwork and deemed him qualified to run for office.
However, on September 9, 2026, Wright's opponent, Mike Gelin, filed a complaint arguing that Wright had not met the necessary qualifications to run. Gelin sought a court ruling to disqualify Wright from the election, leading to a non-jury trial held on October 9, 2026, where the trial court reviewed the evidence and testimony.
The Ruling
The District Court of Appeal upheld the trial court's decision to disqualify Wright, stating that he failed to meet the basic statutory requirements for candidacy. The court emphasized that compliance with election laws is not optional. The opinion stated, "Payment of the fee with a properly executed check drawn upon the candidate’s campaign account... is a basic qualification requirement and must be strictly followed."
The judges noted that Wright's failure to complete the necessary sections of the election forms meant he did not properly designate a primary campaign depository, nor did he appoint himself as deputy treasurer correctly. The court referenced Florida Statutes, which require that candidates must submit complete and accurate forms to qualify for election.
In their ruling, the judges stated, "Wright’s completion of some sections of his Form DS-DE 9 did not suffice to meet the qualification requirements." They reiterated that the law must be enforced as written, regardless of the circumstances surrounding Wright's candidacy.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for future candidates in Florida. It reinforces the necessity for candidates to meticulously complete all required election forms and comply with statutory requirements. The court's decision serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking public office, emphasizing that any oversight in paperwork can lead to disqualification.
The ruling may also set a precedent for how strictly election laws are enforced in Florida. By affirming the trial court's decision, the appellate court has made it clear that candidates cannot rely on the acceptance of incomplete forms by election officials as a means to qualify for office. This case could deter candidates from attempting to navigate around the rules in the future.
What's Next
Wright has the option to appeal the decision, but given the court's clear stance on the necessity of compliance with election laws, the likelihood of a successful appeal appears limited. There are no related cases pending that could impact this ruling.
