ORLANDO, Fla. -- A ruling Thursday by an appeals court could possibly pave the way for a mayoral run-off in Orlando. It was in response to a lawsuit filed by mayoral candidate Ken Mulvaney after the 2002 run-off election, challenging hundreds of absentee ballots cast for Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Ken Mulvaney
Thursday's announcement by the appeals court means the battle over who is sitting in the mayor's seat is not over, as many thought it would be. The appeal could lead to a new run-off election for the mayor's office.
The suit, filed by Mulvaney, alleges voter fraud. The dispute centers on political consultant Ezzie Thomas being paid by Buddy Dyer to collect absentee ballots. Mayor Dyer was indicted in the case a year ago, but returned to office after all charges were dropped.
Mulvaney also sued in trial court and lost the case, but has now been granted the right argue the case again.
"To me, it's about the voters. It's not about Ken Mulvaney. It's not about the mayor's race. It's about justice. It's about the system and knowing that we have a fair system. And especially when it comes down to elections," Mulvaney said.
No one from the mayor's office was available on camera Thursday, but Mayor Dyer's office issued a written statement saying, in part, "Mayor Dyer and the city's canvassing board are confident in the well reasoned decision of the trial court ... and look forward to the same decision from the appellate court."
Both sides said they wanted to make oral arguments, instead of the appeals court deciding the matter based on written briefs. Those oral arguments are scheduled to be heard beginning February 1.
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