ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Thousands of people in St. Cloud will vote for the next mayor in the same place where one of the candidates works.
"I feel that it casts a shadow on the electoral process," said voter Andrew Stakelum.
Some residents who are fighting against the polling place at the Cornerstone Family Church on Canoe Creek Road have no avenue for complaints with the state, Channel 9 learned.
The Osceola County Elections Office will not make changes.
Some St. Cloud residents said they think Osceola County's administrator has given an unfair advantage Cornerstone pastor and mayoral candidate, Nathan Blackwell, who also works at the polling place.
"To me, it's not about the candidates," said Stakelum."They see that it's a church, and this pastor is the founder of this church. His name is on the mortgage. That's going to leave an impression on them and potentially sway their vote."
Elections administrator Mary Jane Arrington's office said complaints have been outnumbered by people supporting the decision, adding that it would be Blackwell's job to bow out if he thought there was a problem.
"The supervisor of elections should have recognized his building was used as a polling place," said Stakelum.
Arrington's office said Blackwell will have to obey the same 100-foot restriction on campaigning around election sites, and in this case, remove his personally identifying materials from that part of the church.
Blackwell released this statement: "I think it is inappropriate for me to make any suggestion about where the supervisor of elections puts polling places. However, I will abide by any decision she makes with regard to polling done at Cornerstone Family Church. Regardless, I have decided not to be present at the church on Election Day to avoid any wrong appearances."
Blackwell's opponent in the mayoral race is Jeff Rhinehart, who said he has no comment on matters involving Blackwell.
Cox Media Group
