§ 8-2. Legislative intent.

(a) It is the intent of this article to consolidate all rules and procedures provided by Florida Statutes, the Charter of the City of Lake Wales, and various city ordinances relating to elections and election administration into a unified and comprehensive election code.

(b) It is the intent of this article to eliminate inconsistencies and conflicts in notice requirements, duration of time between the call of elections and holding of elections, and other procedures relating to election administration by conforming city requirements to provisions of Florida Statutes.

(c) It is the intent of this article to ensure that all city elections shall be conducted in a proper, orderly, and fair manner so as to permit the will of the electorate to be determined; to ensure that campaigns for elective city office shall be conducted on a nonpartisan basis with the qualifications and character of the respective candidates, not party affiliation, being the criteria for the voter's choice; and to ensure that issue elections shall be conducted in a manner so as to permit the free and robust exchange of ideas and opinions while avoiding unfair and improper campaign tactics which abuse the open debate that is vital to a democratic form of government.

(Ord. No. 2003-15, § 1, 6-3-03)