Florida Election Qualifying Losing Personal Touch

By: Associated Press

Updated: Mon 7:31 PM, Jun 04, 2012

Tallahassee, FL (AP) -- June 4, 2012 --

The tradition of Florida candidates standing in line to personally file their qualifying papers is just a memory.

Only one candidate was on hand as qualifying opened at noon Monday for federal and state offices.

They include newly redistricted congressional and legislative seats as well as a U.S. Senate seat.

Most candidates were relying on other people or delivery services to get their papers filed by noon Friday.

The new district lines are expected to cause some office-seekers to change their political plans. Florida this year added two more congressional districts to bring the state's total to 27 because of population growth between 2000 and 2010.

Clay County Clerk of Courts James Jett was first in line. He's trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, a fellow Republican.

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