In Florida, party primaries normally are closed; only voters registered with the party can cast ballots to choose its nominees. But state voters amended the Florida Constitution in 1998 to open primary contests so that all voters regardless of party could vote if the winner would face no opposition in the general election. 

In 2000, the state Elections Division compromised the amendment with an advisory opinion that concluded a single write-in candidate (WIC) in the general election would be considered enough opposition to close a primary with candidates from just one major party.

Ever since, write-ins have regularly closed primaries. This is done in cooperation with candidates who are truly running, but use the WIC to close the primary as it is a "benefit" to exclude the opposing party from voting.

The situation is getting more ridiculous by the year. There is recent documentation of one candidate that had her mother sign up as a write in candidate; in Martin County a high school student signed up to run for "fun." 

These write in candidates and their cohorts put a hand over the mouths of tens of thousands of voters and alter election outcomes by denying voters their right to participate in Florida's Universal Primary. There is nothing wrong with a legitimate WIC or a closed primary brought on by a real WIC. However when a candidate has no intention of running, it is fraud.  It's time to launch a campaign to confront those who are fraudulent and amend the Florida Constitution. 

(Thank you to the Orlando Sentinel for much of this wordage. JTL)