Alfie Oakes threatens legal action after disqualification in election

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Republican Committeeman Alfie Oakes is threatening to file suit against Collier County Elections Supervisor Melissa Blazier after she disqualified him from this year’s primary election.

The Election Commissioner’s Office states that they are simply following Florida state law.

“There is no indication on this form that Mr. Oakes was seeking election to the State Committee,” Blazier said.

After submitting the incorrect paperwork, Oakes will not be on the Republican primary ballot in August. He had filed for a second term as a member of the Collier County Republican Committee but was disqualified due to numerous errors, according to the elections office.

Fox 4 has reviewed the documents in question.

“This was filled out on the wrong form,” Blazier explained. “State committeemen and committeewomen are supposed to use DSDE 305A, and he filled out DSDE 301A. Second, the ‘I swear or affirm that I am a candidate for office’ section is completely blank,” she added.

The Election Commissioner’s office said this incorrect form was submitted 57 minutes before the noon deadline. They contacted Oakes to correct it, but by the time he came and corrected it, the noon deadline had already passed.

Nevertheless, Oakes is convinced that his disqualification is political in nature and that he should be allowed to run.

“This form is actually more detailed than the form that she called me for at 11:50 a.m. and said, ‘Oh, you need to come into the office and fill out the correct form.’ Well, this form is sufficient,” Oakes explained.

Oakes plans to take the matter to court.

“It’s not about me,” he said. “I will wield the same political power whether I’m on the state committee or not. I care more about having the right people in our community doing the right things, and Melissa Blazier is a corrupt actor in our office as the elections supervisor,” he added.

Tim Guerrette, who is running against Blazier for election supervisor in November, shared his perspective.

“If I were the election director, I would actually have a notary on hand,” Guerrette said. “I would have a set of documents and I would be prepared for things like this, because people wait until the last minute to do this,” he added.

Oakes eventually submitted the correct paperwork, but eight minutes late. Blazier says as a constitutional officer, she is not in a position to allow that.

Blazier said, “I know everyone wants to know if I can get around the law and make an exception in this case. The law is very clear. Candidate qualification ended on Friday the 14th at 12:00 noon.”