Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph and The Florida Bar Association are partnering to educate county voters on the judicial election process in the lead up to this year’s August 30 Primary Election and November 8 General Election. The Florida Bar’s nonpartisan Guide for Florida Voters: Answers to Your Questions about Florida Judges, Judicial Elections and Merit Retention is now on display at the Tax Collector’s seven Orange County tag agencies which serve thousands of customers each day.

Randolph said the partnership is important because most Orange County voters register to vote at the Tax Collector’s Office through the Motor Voter program. According to the state Division of Elections, 69% of Orange County voters who registered in 2015 signed up through Motor Voter, which allows residents to register to vote or update their voting information during their driver license transaction.

“Every state has a different process for electing judges. For new voters, and especially those who moved to Orange County from another state, it’s particularly important to learn about Florida’s judicial election process,” said Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, an attorney and member of The Florida Bar.

“The Voter Guide explains to citizens what’s going on with judicial races and merit retention elections – issues that many voters may not be familiar with,” said Judge Michelle Sisco, chair of The Florida Bar’s Constitutional Judiciary Committee, which came up with the idea for the Voter Guide. “The Voter Guide explains why judges are on the ballot, and the difference between appellate judges and trial court judges.”

Sisco thanked The Florida Bar partners for the Voter Guide. “It’s wonderful that so many groups are helping to inform voters about matters concerning the judiciary,” said Sisco.

In addition to the Orange County Tax Collector’s Office, The Florida Bar is partnering with the League of Women Voters and supervisors of elections, tax collectors and public libraries across the state to distribute the Voter Guide.

About the Orange County Tax Collector

Scott Randolph is serving in his first term as the independently-elected Orange County Tax Collector. The Tax Collector’s Office serves thousands of customers each day at nine locations, including seven tag agencies, across Orange County. The office is responsible for providing all motor vehicle services, including the issuance of driver licenses and tag renewals, and collecting and distributing property tax revenues.