Executive
Florida’s Constitution provides the same governmental organization found on the federal level – executive, legislative and judicial – in order to provide checks and balances. The executive branch of state government is also known as the “cabinet”. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor share power with the Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and the Commissioner of Agriculture. These offices compose the “cabinet” and are elected “at large” statewide. (Effective January 7, 2003, the Comptroller and the State Treasurer/Insurance Commissioner have been combined into one Chief Financial Officer’s position. The Secretary of State and the Commissioner of Education are no longer elected positions, but appointed positions.)
To become a candidate for Governor, Lt. Governor, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture, you must be a U.S. Citizen, be at least 30 years of age, a registered elector and a resident of the state for at least the preceding 7 years. To become a candidate for Attorney General, you must meet all of these requirements, plus be a member of the Florida Bar for the preceding 5 years.
The “elected cabinet” positions are subject to the party nomination process (party primaries). The term of office is four years. Candidates for these offices file qualifying papers with the State Division of Elections. Candidates must file “full disclosure of financial worth” – i.e., net worth.
Legislative
Election to both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives is from “single-member” districts. Florida Senators are elected to four-year terms. Florida Representatives are elected to two-year terms. Both positions are subject to the party nomination process. Candidates for these offices file with the Florida Division of Elections and must also file statements of net worth.
To become a candidate for the Florida Senate or the Florida House of Representatives you must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 21 years of age, a registered elector and a resident of the district you are seeking to represent upon taking office and a resident of the state for at least two years prior to the election.
Flagler County is in State Senate Districts 1 & 8 and State House Districts 20 & 26.
