The Duval County Republican Party has filed a lawsuit to remove Libertarian candidate Addison ‘Liberty’ Patrick from the August special election ballot for the Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 1 race. The lawsuit claims that Patrick did not meet the state’s requirement of being a registered member of the Libertarian Party for at least 365 days before filing to run.

Background

Patrick’s voter registration record shows that she was registered as an independent in January 2018, switched to no party affiliation in June 2020, and then changed back to Libertarian on November 12, 2025. The Duval GOP argues that this change does not meet the 365-day requirement.

Patrick’s attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the Duval GOP is misapplying the state statute. They claim that the complaint fails to adequately allege that Patrick is seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination in the August election.

Implications

The outcome of the case could have implications for the August election, which could be a three-way race between Patrick, Republican Deborah Wesley, and Democrat Moné Holder. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will proceed to a runoff election in November.

Patrick has called the lawsuit an attempt to restrict electoral competition and has stated that she is the Libertarian Party’s official declared candidate. The Duval GOP has maintained that Patrick does not qualify to run for City Council according to Florida state law.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.