Mike Carter, former county judge, passes
Mike Carter
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN EDITOR
Former Wakulla County Judge Mike Carter passed away last week after suffering a stroke. He was 80.
Carter was an avid outdoorsman who moved to Wakulla County because of its natural beauty.
He challenged then- County Judge Evelyn Flack in the 1978 election and she initially held a two-vote lead until the canvassing board reviewed the absentee ballots and determined that Carter won the election by two votes.
Flack challenged the inclusion of some of the absentees – at that point in Florida, voters could vote absentee only if they were not going to be able to vote at the poll on election day.
Flack’s case went to trial and appeal and took 46 months to resolve: the courts determined that Flack won the election and she was awarded back pay. Carter served as county judge until 1990 when Jill Walker was elected.
Carter then went into private law practice in Crawfordville before retiring. He was one of the founders of the Wakulla Mens Club, as well as Wakulla Academic Boosters, a scholarship organization.
A full obituary appears under obituaries.