IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR HARDEE, HIGHLANDS AND POLK COUNTIES, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.1-10.0

METHOD FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CHIEF JUDGE

WHEREAS, Rule 2.050(c), Fla. R. Judge. Admin., provides that the Chief Judge shall be chosen by the majority of the circuit and county court judges within a circuit for a term of two years commencing on July 1 of each odd-numbered year, however, the Rule does not provide a method for the selection of the Chief Judge, and

WHEREAS, a consistent and clearly defined method for the election of the Chief Judge is deemed essential to the orderly administration of the Tenth Judicial Circuit; now therefore, it is

ORDERED:

1. On the Second Thursday of February of each odd-numbered year, the Court Administrator will distribute to all circuit and county judges a double envelope similar to that used by the Florida Bar in its election process. The cover envelope will be sealed and marked with the name of the judge to whom it was delivered. It will contain a second, unsealed envelope marked BALLOT, and an alphabetical list of all circuit judges. The judge to whom the ballot is delivered votes for his or her preference for Chief Judge by circling on name. The list is then placed in the ballot envelope (sealed) and delivered to the Court Administrator before noon on the third Thursday of February.

2. On the third Thursday of February at noon, the judges will meet for the purpose of electing the Chief Judge. In the presence of the attending judges, the Court Administrator will open the sealed ballots and tabulate the votes.

3. If no judge received a majority on the first ballot, the Court Administrator will distribute another ballot containing the names of the two judges receiving the highest number of votes. If a judge does not wish to vote for either of those judges, he may write-in his choice.

4. If no judge recieves a majority on the second ballot, the Court Administrator will distribute another ballot containing the names of the two judges receiving the highest member of votes on the third ballot.

5. If no judge receives a majority on the third ballot, the Court Administrator will distribute another ballot containing the names of the two judges receiving the highest member of votes on the third ballot.

6. In addition to the foregoing, the following general rules shall apply:

(a) The first judge to receive a majority of the votes of all circuit and county judges is elected Chief Judge.

(b) In the event a judge cannot attend the election meeting, he may authorize another judge to vote for him. This authorization must be in writing and received by the Court Administrator by noon on the third Thursday of February.

(c) After the second ballot, no write-in votes will be permitted.

(d) The Court Administrator will be responsible for conducting the election and will announce the results of each ballot.

(e) The entire electoral process shall take place at the meeting on the third Thursday of February. No motion to adjourn shall be entertained until a Chief Judge is elected, unless, because of the absence of judges, no judge receives a majority vote. In that event, the meeting may be recessed until a time at which all judges may be present.

7. This Administrative Order shall be only be amended or repealed with concurrance of majority of the Conference of Judges.

8. That this Order cancels and supercedes Administrative Order No. 65, dated September 23rd, 1986.

DONE AND ORDERED at Bartow, Polk County , Florida, this 5th day of January, 1989.

WILLIAM A. NORRIS, JR.

Chief Judge