Mr. Young’s United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit names Juan Barquin, Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniela Leviene Cava, and Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Case No. 24-13720
OP-ED By Rubin Young is a US Army Veteran, Pro Se Appellant, Non-Partisan Candidate For Clerk of Courts Who Received 2,074 Write-In Votes
Why This Matters to Every American
What’s happening in Miami-Dade County isn’t just about local politics nor Juneteenth—it’s a warning to the nation. As someone who has run for public office and challenged election rules for over three decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the democratic process is being eroded from the inside out.
I believe voters, candidates, and citizens everywhere should be concerned. Especially considering the City of Miami commission decided to bypass voters and our State Attorney General’s once again and elect themselves for yet another year.
The State Attorney General specifically quoted stating:
“If the City of Miami is to amend its charter, either to move the date of municipal elections or to change the terms of office for elected officials, then the change may only proceed by a vote of the electors, as described in Article VI, section 6.03 of the County’s Home Rule Charter”.
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The City of Miami Is Not The Only One Breaking Their Constitutional Oaths, State Statues and Home Charter Rules
I’m currently the appellant, Rubin Young, Case No. 24-13720, before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. My case raises serious questions about access to the ballot, fairness in elections, and whether the courts are functioning as neutral guardians of justice or simply protecting the status quo.
The Fight for Equal Rights Is Far From Over
Let’s not forget history. In the 1800s, Black Americans were not treated as full citizens. We were considered less than whole people under the law. The 14th Amendment was added to the Constitution to correct that—to give citizenship and equal protection to the children of former slaves, not to illegal immigrants or those bypassing the system. Yet today, those same rights are being taken for granted, overlooked, or misused.
This is not just historical reflection—it’s personal. I believe that the same rights promised to my ancestors are being ignored today, and we must speak up to protect them.
The $13,100 Barrier: A Modern Poll Tax?
In Miami-Dade County, the filing fee to run for Clerk of the Court is set at $13,100. That’s not a typo. This fee was not passed by the Florida Legislature nor voters. It was created locally – without a vote from you or me. In my opinion, it’s an illegal and unconstitutional barrier to entry—especially for working-class and minority candidates.
I call it a “modern-day poll tax”. It pushes out people like me who want to serve but can’t afford the price tag. Elections should be about qualifications and vision, not about who can afford to write a check.
When the Rules Are Broken, and No One Listens
After longtime Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin passed away, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Juan Fernandez Barquin to the Clerk of Courts position. That part was legal. But when Barquin filed to run for the permanent office without taking a required leave of absence—as mandated by the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter—he violated the rules. I filed a legal challenge. The courts never acted.
Meanwhile, I ran against Ruvin during the 2020 election, which took place under COVID-19 emergency changes. In my opinion, those changes—especially to mail-in voting and drop box procedures—made the election less secure and less fair. However, when I filed my case in the state courts of Florida, it was dismissed the same day. The judge said I “failed to state a claim.” In my view, that was just an excuse not to look at the facts.
Courts Are Failing the People
On October 31, 2024, I filed a complaint in the Southern District of Florida, this time with the help of a trained paralegal. On November 4, 2024, the amended complaint was refiled, and Judge Rodolfo Ruiz dismissed the case. No hearing. No ruling on the merits. Just another door slammed shut by a Judge with a massive sum of wealthy donors. Even Supreme Court Justice Thomas believes political donors should be anonymous.
Judges Are Also Politicians
Yes, judges are elected by We the People. Judges are often the politicians who collect the most in campaign finances. The Judge in my case donated over $15,000 to himself, then later received $155,771.42 in contributions from mostly attorneys, investment bankers, businesses, and some small donors, with the majority of donors contributing an average of $337.49 each. I’m not picking on Judge Ruiz, nor accusing him of wrongdoing. I am simply using Judge Ruiz’s donor list to show further how we may be disenfranchised by money before we ever file.
More Fees That Should Be Free
I appealed to the Eleventh Circuit on November 8, 2024, paying an additional $605 in fees. The defendants never responded—not one brief, not one appendix. According to federal procedures, that should have counted as a waiver. Still, on May 12, 2025, after many months fighting for justice, my appeal was denied without explanation.
I now question whether court staff—not judges—are making decisions behind the scenes, blocking certain cases before the Judge on the bench ever sees them. If that’s true, it raises serious questions about fairness, transparency, and due process within our Court system, especially when the Clerk of the Court is turning a deaf ear to these allegations. And this Clerk of Court is also named in the lawsuit.
A System That Protects Itself
This case isn’t just about me. It’s about a larger system that, in my opinion, is designed to protect itself.
Too many election officials are silent when laws are ignored. Some candidates may not even meet the legal requirements to run, and yet they face no challenge. Meanwhile, the courts—which should be the last line of defense—are instead rubber-stamping dismissals or refusing to hear the cases altogether, especially when it involves one of their own.
We, the People, are often called “losers” trapped in a contained system of constant fines and walls of defense. Meanwhile, I continue to sacrifice my time and finances in effort to clean up the corruption within. If we don’t correct this now, it won’t be limited to one county or one courtroom. It could spread anywhere.
Why I, Rubin Young, Continue Speaking Out
Some people may not agree with everything I say. That’s fine. But I speak from direct experience. I believe in fair elections, open courts, and equal protection under the law. I’ve spent thousands of dollars and decades of my life trying to make the system work—not just for me, but for everyone.
When poor and working-class people are shut out of running for office, and when courtrooms shut their doors to claims they don’t want to hear, democracy suffers.
I’ve even proposed solutions, including using artificial intelligence to bring transparency to legal decisions. In 2008, I called the system “YOUR HONOR“—a way to replace bias with facts and fairness. Maybe it’s time we reconsider bold solutions like that.
If It Can Happen in Miami-Dade, It Can Happen Anywhere
What happened to me isn’t unique. Civil rights pioneer Mary L. Hill, founder of the Economic Opportunity Acts of 1964 through 1978, faced similar pushback. She spent decades fighting for anti-poverty programs, only to see her efforts undermined by elected officials who, in my opinion, failed to uphold their oaths to defend the Constitution and support federal laws like Public Laws 88-452, 92-424, 93-644, and 95-568.
Those laws were created to fight poverty. But instead of being used properly, I believe those funds are now being misused or redirected to political agendas that have nothing to do with helping the poor.
This is why I keep fighting. This is why I won’t stop. I do this for the truth, for justice, for my community—and for the people across this country who feel left out, unheard, and unprotected.
If it can happen in Miami-Dade, it can happen anywhere.
To support Rubin Young or learn more, contact:
Rubin Young – Pro Se Appellant
The only candidate for Miami-Dade Clerk of Court endorsed by Veterans For America First
