ORLANDO, Fla. – A disqualified candidate for the Orange County’s supervisor of elections race is suing the political rival that got her kicked off the ballot earlier this month.
Cynthia Harris filed a lawsuit on Aug. 19 that claimed Dan Helms failed to properly fill out paperwork to shorten his legal name from “Daniel” to “Dan” on the ballot.
The lawsuit stated Helm should be disqualified because he failed to complete the Affidavit of Nickname that all candidates who want a nickname on the ballot must sign.
Helm has called the lawsuit spiteful and said a candidate is not required to fill out an affidavit when using a generally shortened version of their legal name.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
“I picked a shortened version of my legal name. I practice law under the name ‘Dan,’” Helm said. “Even if there was a problem with somebody’s name on the ballot, the remedy for the supervisor of elections is to change their name on the ballot. It’s not disqualifying.”
The lawsuit was filed three days after Harris, who is a no-party candidate, was removed from the ballot.
A judge ruled for Harris to be disqualified after Helm sued her for not properly paying her qualification fee.
“When I looked at the paperwork, I saw a candidate that never should have been qualified,” Helm said. “What that meant was a problem with integrity of the ballot.”
The lawsuit filed against Helm has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 12.
Because Harris was kicked off the ballot, the Democratic primary for the Orange County supervisor of elections race was moved to November and is open to all voters.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: