Released by Gov. Scott’s Office
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following widespread issues with voting in Broward County, Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 18-342 to immediately suspend Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. The authority for the Governor to take this action is outlined in Article IV Section 7 of the Florida Constitution. The Governor has appointed Peter Antonacci to serve as Supervisor of Elections in Broward County. Mr. Antonacci will serve for the remainder of the term until a replacement can be chosen by voters in November 2020. During the 2018 General Election, according to numerous media reports, Broward County election officials missed deadlines, lost ballots and couldn’t report basic information to the public, which resulted in multiple violations of Florida law. This follows multiple documented instances throughout Ms. Snipes’ term where Florida laws were broken including posting election results before polls closed and authorizing the improper destruction of ballots.
Governor Scott said, “Every eligible voter in Florida deserves their vote to be counted and should have confidence in Florida’s elections process. After a series of inexcusable actions, it’s clear that there needs to be an immediate change in Broward County and taxpayers should no longer be burdened by paying a salary for a Supervisor of Elections who has already announced resignation. I know that Pete will be solely focused on running free and fair elections, will not be running for election and will bring order and integrity back to this office.”
Peter Antonacci currently serves as the President and CEO of Enterprise Florida. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District and as General Counsel for the Governor. Previously, Mr. Antonacci served as State Attorney in Palm Beach County. He has also served as a governing board member of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, a member of the Florida Ethics Commission, Statewide Prosecutor of Florida and Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Antonacci has also served on multiple Judicial Nominating Commissions.
Raised in Hialeah, Mr. Antonacci attended Hialeah High School and Miami Dade College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University as well as a Juris Doctorate from Florida State University College of Law.