Text messages are being used in Collier County to confuse voters.
Tens of thousands of Republican voters received confusing and fraudulent messages meant to dupe voters.
So far, more than 3,000 ballots have been returned in Collier County. But emails, fliers and text messages with misinformation about candidates are going out leaving some voters confused.
A text message claimed Collier County Republican Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier is really a Democrat.
Blazier called the claim completely false.
The registered Republican was appointed to the position by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Would the governor have appointed a Democrat in a very Republican county? No, he would not have,” Blazier said.
The same message claimed one of her opponents, Tim Guerrette, is a RINO (Republican in Name Only).
“It is concerning somebody calling me a RINO. I've been a conservative Republican for over 30 years in Collier County,” Guerrette said.
So, who's behind it? The Collier County Republican Executive Committee sent out the message.
They have endorsed candidate Dave Schaffel for the race.
Schaffel said he didn’t think it was ethical for Blazier to use a government site or Facebook to solicit Democrats to register as Republicans.
Schaffel is upset that Blazier told Democrats and NPA’s they can register as Republicans to have a say in the closed primary race.
Democrats can not vote in the race because a write-in candidate, who has not been seen on the campaign trail, filed to run.
A loophole in state law qualifies the race to be closed to only Republican voters; however, state law does allow voters to register as Republicans for the primary switch parties before the General Election.
The attacks don't stop there.
Another flier went out to voters, making it appear that the Republican party endorsed Guerrette instead of Schaffel.
Tim Guerrette said the party shouldn't be endorsing anyone in a primary.
“That is something that I think needs to be looked at, and ultimately, the local Republican party here in Collier County needs to take a stand on whether that is going to be a good idea in the future,” Guerrette said.
Melissa Blazier warned voters to be on the lookout for more false claims to show up before the August primary.
“Voters are going to be inundated with mailers, emails and text messages,” Blazier said.
Election experts say once a voter casts their ballot, the messaging will likely stop.