Judge orders Gov. DeSantis to show why School Board election winner shouldn't be seated
A Leon County Circuit Court Judge says a School Board election winner should be allowed to take his seat — despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order that kept Rod Velez from the dais.
The administration has 40 days to argue otherwise, according to writs of quo warranto issued by Circuit Court Judge John Cooper. A Governor’s spokesman dismissed the significance of the order, however.
Velez was elected to serve on the Broward County School Board in 2022, but his election was clouded by a 1995 felony conviction. Cooper’s filing could have implications for others awaiting the restoration of their voting rights under Amendment 4, he and his lawyers say.
Velez had not formally had his right to ru...
