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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Florida Supreme Court Blocks Scott Bid to Pick Judges

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Monday that the state's next governor and not current Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott will get to pick three new justices to the state Supreme Court.

(CN) - The Florida Supreme Court ruled Monday that the state's next governor and not current Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott will get to pick three new justices to the state Supreme Court.

In a ruling seen as a rebuke to Scott, the Supreme Court held he exceeded his authority when he started the process to find replacements for the three justices.

Three current judges on the state's highest court are being forced to retire due to mandatory age limits. They're scheduled to leave on the similarly term-limited governor's last day in office.

Scott last month asked a nominating commission to start accepting applications. He also said he would try to reach an agreement on the picks with the next governor.

The League of Women Voters and Common Cause sued to block the move.

In a one-page ruling, the court said that whoever is elected in November has the "sole authority" to name the new justices.

Categories / Appeals, Courts, Government, Politics, Regional

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