CORRECTION
Ashton submitted replacement check within new qualifying window
October 1, 2024 at 11:15:57 PM
Norine Dworkin
Editor in Chief
The Division of Elections confirms that Judge Jeff Ashton was notified about a returned check with enough time to replace it, but questions linger about whether campaign funds purchased the necessary cashier's check.
Information from the Division of Elections in Tallahassee indicates that Ninth Circuit Court Judge Jeff Ashton was not late in filing his qualifying fee for the Aug. 20 election.
VoxPopuli had previously reported that Ashton filed his qualifying fee 18 days late. That is incorrect. VoxPopuli apologies for the error.
Ashton is currently facing attorney Alicia Peyton in a Nov. 5 runoff for the Group 15 seat on the Ninth Circuit Court.
The Division of Elections in Tallahassee notified Ashton on May 13 that his initial April 25 check for $7,646.52 from the Ashton for Circuit Judge account at Fairwinds Credit Union had been returned for insufficient funds, according to Ryan C. Ash, Deputy Director of the Office of External Affairs of Florida's Department of State.
The qualifying period for the Aug. 20 election ended April 26. But according to Florida election law, in nonpartisan races, such as judicial races, candidates have 48 hours to replace a returned check with a cashier’s check purchased with campaign funds — even after the qualifying period is over.
Campaign records indicate that Ashton submitted a second check, purchased May 13 from the Fairwinds Credit Union, to the Division of Elections that was marked "received" on May 14. He was within the new 48-hour deadline to pay his qualifying fee.
However, Ashton’s campaign finance reports show no record of a purchase of a cashier’s check from May 13. Just the record of the April 25 check and a deposit on April 23 of $7,845.
Ashton has not responded to questions from VoxPopuli left on voice mail or sent by email regarding the use of campaign funds to purchase the cashier’s check.
