Local Govt & Elections

Question 1

Counties are one of four local government entities authorized:

Answer 1

to levy taxes on real property (ad valorem), issue bonds, and establish a civil service system

Question 2

Home rule power:

Answer 2

allows a county government to create law through ordinances and, in some cases, by resolutions without having to return to the legislature for a specific grant of authority

Question 3

A county government may be established by:

Answer 3

charter. Counties with charter are also called “charter counties”

Question 4

If a charter county ordinance conflicts with a municipal provision, then:

Answer 4

you must look to the charter to determine whether the county ordinance or the municipal ordinance prevails

Question 5

A charter county can only be adopted, amended or repealed by:

Answer 5

a vote of the electors of that county in a special election

Question 6

Non-charter counties operate without a county charter. The power of self-government is as provided by:

Answer 6

general or special law by the legislature

Question 7

The board of county commissioners in a non-charter county may:

Answer 7

enact county ordinances

Question 8

The following five officers are elected, all with terms of 4 years:

Answer 8

1) sheriff
2) tax collector
3) property appraiser
4) supervisor of elections; and
5) clerk of the circuit court

Question 9

Each county has a:

Answer 9

board of county commissioners, which is the governing body of the county. It is composed of 5 members, 4 year terms, each with staggering terms

Question 10

Taxes may be assessed by the county for the cost of providing:

Answer 10

services to unincorporated areas

Question 11

Every county has the option of legalizing or prohibiting the sale of alcohol within its borders. The status of a county (wet or dry) can be changed only by:

Answer 11

vote of the electors in a special election, called by petition of 25% of the electors of that county

Question 12

Every county has the authority, but not the obligation, to require:

Answer 12

a criminal history records check and a 3-to-5 day waiting period in connection with the sale of a firearm in that county

Question 13

Holders of a concealed weapons permit will not be:

Answer 13

subject to the background check and holding period, regardless of county policy

Question 14

The cost of education must be:

Answer 14

borne by the state, and not by local school districts

Question 15

Every county constitutes a:

Answer 15

school district.

Two or more contiguous counties may combine into one school district upon a vote of the electors in each county

Question 16

School districts are one of four local government entities authorized to:

Answer 16

levy taxes on real property (ad valorem taxes), issue bonds, and establish a civil service system

Question 17

Each school district will have a school board, comprised of:

Answer 17

5 or more members elected by the electors of the district.

Members serve 4-year staggered terms

Question 18

The state university system, encompassing all public universities:

Answer 18

is a single entity.

Question 19

The legislature has ultimate power over:

Answer 19

creation, modification, and abolishment of municipalities

Question 20

Annexation of unincorporated areas, merger of municipalities, and the exerise of extraterritorial powers by municipalities can be:

Answer 20

accomplished by either general or specific law

Question 21

Municipalities are one of four local government entities authorized to:

Answer 21

levy taxes on property (ad valorem taxes), issue bonds, and establish a civil service system. The other 3 are: counties, school districts, and special taxing districts.

Question 22

Municipalities have governmental, corporate, and proprietary home rule powers. They are not dependent upon:

Answer 22

the legislature for authorization, and statutes are relevant only to determine limitations of authority.

Question 23

The purpose of the powers for municipalities is to enable them to:

Answer 23

1) conduct municipal government;
2) perform municipal functions; and
3) render municipal services

Question 24

The government of a county and one or more municipalities in that county may be:

Answer 24

consolidated into a single government. The new government may exercise powers of both the county and municipalities

Question 25

How can consolidation of a county and municipality become effective?

Answer 25

By approval of a majority of the electors in the affected county and municipalities

Question 26

The legislature has limited ability to preempt:

Answer 26

the police power of local governments

Question 27

To ensure preemption, the legislature must:

Answer 27

1) imply preemption, by passing legislation so pervasive as to evidence an intent to preempt that particular area, and where strong public policy reasons exist for finding such an area to be preempted by the legislature; or
2) include a statement of express preemption in the legislation

Question 28

General elections are determined by:

Answer 28

a majority of the votes cast

Question 29

Any person may be an elector (a voter eligible to vote in a particular election) of the county where registered, provided he is:

Answer 29

1) at least 18 years of age;
2) a permanent resident of the state; and
3) registered as provided by law

Question 30

No person may vote or hold office if he has been:

Answer 30

1) convicted of a felony, until restoration of civil rights; or
2) adjudicated in Florida or any other state to be mentally incompetent, until removal of disability

Question 31

No person may be elected for any of the following offices if the person will have, at the time of election, served in that office for 8 consecutive years:

Answer 31

1) Florida representative
2) Florida senator
3) Florida LT governor
4) Any office of the Florida Cabinet

Question 32

A primary election occurs when candidates from at least 2 different registered political parties:

Answer 32

vie for which candidate will represent the party in the succeeding general election

Question 33

If the candidates in a primary all have the same party affiliation and the winner will have no opposition in the general election, then:

Answer 33

all qualified electors may vote in the primary election regardless of party affiliation

Question 34

General elections are held in the every county on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year to:

Answer 34

1) select the successor to each elective state and county officer whose term will expire before the next election; and
2) to fill any vacated, unexpired offices

Question 35

A special election may be held to:

Answer 35

fill a vacancy at the local, state, or national (usually House of Reps seat) level

Question 36

The Election Campaign Financing Act:

Answer 36

provides for matching contributions received by candidates for governor and cabinet offices

Question 37

Candidates using public funds have spending limits:

Answer 37

Any candidate for governor and LT governor or cabinet officer who requests contributions must limit his total expenditures:

1) Gov & LT Gov - $2.00 for each Florida-registered voter; and
2) Cabinet officer - $1.00 for each Florida-registered voter