Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez denied Desulme’s requests for a rehearing and an injunction, finding they were filed too late. The counterclaim followed the judge’s decision to disqualify Desulme from the election. Desulme’s attorneys had asked the court to reopen qualification for a Dec. 1 special election while he appealed that disqualification.

The dispute centers on the candidates’ qualifying fees. Florida law requires a candidate’s fee to be paid from a campaign account and signed by the campaign treasurer. Desulme said he used a bank-certified check drawn on his campaign account rather than a campaign check. He had also accused Morgan of failing to pay his qualifying fee in full. Morgan, who has never held public office, asked the court to disqualify Desulme on Oct. 8.

In the counterclaim, Desulme’s attorney Benedict P. Kuehne argued that allowing voters to cast ballots for a candidate who was not qualified would undermine their right to choose their elected officials. Desulme, elected in 2024, was appealing his disqualification, the filing said.

Miami-Dade County’s notice to North Miami voters described the mayoral contest as unopposed and said the remaining candidate would be deemed elected under the law. Countywide early voting began Monday.