DANIEL JOHN MATTHEWS v. Michael Steinberg, Craig Latimer, etc.

There is one simple fact necessary in this appeal: Daniel John Matthews sought to be a write-in candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, but he did not reside within the district he wished to represent at the time he filed his qualifying paperwork with the Division of Elections. Mr. Matthews contends he is only required to reside in the district at the time of election — not filing. Because the Florida Constitution clearly delineates a residency requirement for legislators, which a statute cannot contravene, we agree.

The Florida Constitution mandates a legislator “shall be at least…