ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge has disqualified Cynthia Harris in the race for Orange County Supervisor of Elections over an error in how she paid her filing fees to become a candidate.

Because Harris was the only non-Democrat running for the office, the ruling effectively nullifies the Aug. 20 primary — which would have selected her opponent in the November election from a field of four candidates. Now, they will face off against each other in the fall.

What You Need To Know

  •  A judge has ruled to disqualify candidate Cynthia Harris in the race for the Orange County Supervisor of Elections
  • According to the judge's decision, Harris was not qualified to run for the office because she paid her filing fees from her personal bank account instead of her campaign's account

  • Because Harris was the only non-Democrat running for the office, the ruling effectively nullifies the Aug. 20 primary, and will send the remaining four candidates to run again in the fall

  • Harris has not said if she plans to appeal the ruling

According to the judge's ruling, Harris is ineligible to participate in the November general election because she paid her filing fees from her personal bank account instead of her campaign's account, which is required by Florida law.

In a statement, current Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean said his office was a neutral party in the case.

“As the court noted in its decision, our office serves a ministerial function, and it is incumbent upon candidates to know and follow the rules," he said. "We will move forward with the November election under guidance from the court and the state.”

While the race will still appear on the Aug. 20 primary ballot, officials say the results will not be publicly released.

It was one of the four Democratic candidates, Dan Helm, who filed the lawsuit against Harris.

He said that after he filed a public records request, he found proof in Harris’s qualifying documents that showed she had not paid her fees in accordance with the law.

“This is a victory and a win for the integrity of the ballot," Helm said. "I’m feeling good about that. The rule of law is being followed and that’s important to me."

For the other candidates in the race, they agreed that the focus is now November.

“So, we’re going to continue to bring our message to the voters, talking to them about what’s so important in this race and reminding them that yes, you did vote on this in August, but we need you to vote again in November," Candidate Wes Hodge said. 

Another candidate, Karen Castor Dentel, releasing a statement following the ruling that said: “While the election date may have changed, our message is the same. I’m running to ensure transparency, integrity, and fairness in the election’s office. And I look forward to delivering that message to all Orange County voters.”

The final candidate, Sunshine Grund, said she viewed the judge's decision as an opportunity to roll up her sleeves and get to work.

“We need to keep our democracy strong," she said. "That’s how I get to support them is when they support all of our elections, we get to keep our democracy moving forward."

Spectrum News 13 reached out to Harris for a comment on the court ruling, but did not immediately receive a response. 

No information was available on whether Harris planned to appeal the decision.