Candidate: Roger Eaton

In 2016 and 2020, I successfully ran for Charlotte County Clerk of Court based on the strength of my 20+ years experience in the Clerk’s office, my conservative financial principles, and my ability to integrate cutting edge technology into the Clerk’s office to provide better, more efficient services to the public at less cost to our taxpayers.  I’m proud to say that during my eight years as your Clerk of Court, I’ve modernized the Clerk’s office, provided a plethora of new, FREE services, and reduced the Clerk’s office budget every year and returned over $2.8 million in taxpayer funds to Charlotte County.  Our local residents have taken note of the Clerk’s office’s hard work – in both my elections for Clerk of Court, I received 75% of all votes cast.  I am excited to embark on my 2024 re-election campaign, and ask for your continued support and vote.   

Since announcing my 2024 re-election campaign for Charlotte County Clerk of Court, I’ve been overwhelmed by community support.  In less than two months, myself and my supporters collected over 1,600 voter signatures to have my name appear on the 2024 ballot.  While I could have simply paid a hefty fee to have my name on the ballot, I rolled up my sleeves and spoke to voters, answered their questions, and met great people.  Additionally, I’ve received overwhelming financial contribution support from our local community.     

Since taking office in January 2017, your Clerk’s office has accomplished everything below, for the benefit of Charlotte County and its citizens:

TRUSTED:  Award Winning Office to Better Serve You! 

2023 Named Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year 

2023 Earned 99.08% customer satisfaction rate from Charlotte County citizens 

2023 Recognition of Excellence for Best Practices from the Florida Association of Court Clerks 

2022 Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE) Community Partner Award recipient 

2022 Nominated for “Excellence in Business” from the Englewood Chamber of Commerce 

2022 Legislative Collaboration for my work on legislative bills that helped make improvements to the Clerk’s office which benefit Charlotte County citizens 

2021 Named Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year 

2019 Awarded top ranking and perfect score by U.S. Department of State regarding passport services 

2017 Electronic record keeping policy called “very impressive...a model for other counties to consider in creation of their own policies”, by the Florida Department of State 

INNOVATIVE: Ideas That Help People 

2023 FREE Clerk of Court app, for iPhone or Android, which puts all our office’s services at your fingertips 

2022 Provided FREE online court forms and pleadings in our easy to navigate website’s Self Help Center including free 20 minute legal consultation with an attorney

2020 First Clerk’s office in the State of Florida to offer citizens the option of paying fines and fees at select local merchants such as CVS, 7-Eleven and Dollar General  

2019 Offered certified electronic Official Records online.  Each electronic certified document uses advanced encryption features to produce a tamper-proof electronic certified document which includes a unique Clerk of Court digital signature 

2018 Introduced a unique FREE marriage scheduling app, which allows couples to complete an online marriage application and schedule a block of time for their wedding ceremony 

2017 Instituted FREE Jury Duty application, a cutting-edge online juror management system which allows jurors to check-in and review status online, and receive same day payment for their juror service 

2017 Launched FREE Property Fraud Alert program for all Charlotte County citizens 

COST EFFECTIVE: Protecting Taxpayer Dollars 

Reduced Clerk’s office annual budget every year, and returned $2.8 million in taxpayer funds to the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners from 2017-2023 

Over $39 million earned on Charlotte County fund investments since taking office in 2017 

Increased the number and quality of services offered to our citizens, despite leaner budgets and returning taxpayer funds each year 

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT: Proud 25-year Charlotte County Resident - my family’s home

Charlotte County United Way board member

Charlotte County Community Foundation board member

Charlotte County Animal Welfare League, sponsor of Roger’s Rescue and Eaton’s Eats

Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (CARE), 2022 Community Partner Award recipient

Volunteer and coach for Charlotte County Little League, Port Charlotte Bandits and Charlotte County Soccer Federation

EDUCATION 

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, both from Eastern Michigan University