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Taxpayers in one county ( Hillsborough) are spending an estimated quarter million dollars for a special election that will likely elect incumbent James Grant. The November election was spoiled over a residency dispute with a write in candidate.  At the state Capitol the House gave tentative approval to a measure saying write in candidates don’t have to live in the district until they are elected, but sponsor Joe Geller says he would like to see the entire write in process changed.

“Our whole system should be looked at. Frankly, I think NPA’s should be able to vote in any party primary. That was also part of my bill. And we need to stop this write in practice because that’s just not on the level. If somebody wants to run, they should qualify. In this state you don;t even need any money, you can do it by petition. But we should limit it to qualified candidates” says Geller.

No write in candidate has been elected since changes made to election law in 2001 allowed their presence to close what would otherwise be an open primary where all voters can cast ballots.