APOPKA, Fla. – The race for the mayor’s office in Apopka is shifting gears from the voting booth to the legal system.

Current Mayor Bryan Nelson, seeking another term, has filed a lawsuit against his competitor, Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, in an effort to remove her from the electoral ballot.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday and accessed by News 6 Investigator Mike DeForest, alleges that Moore has breached the city’s residency requirements for candidates.

According to Nelson, Moore provided two different addresses on her qualifying application. These were meant to demonstrate that she had resided within the city limits for the required year prior to the election: one address was used before July 18, and the other after July 19.

In a phone conversation with News 6 on Tuesday evening, Moore defended her actions, stating that she adhered to legal requirements. She explained that she rented the first residence to fulfill the residency criteria while she completed the purchase of her new home.

However, Nelson’s lawsuit says Moore’s car was only observed at the first house once before July 18.

The lawsuit says Moore’s car was, however, photographed at a third home for 70 days between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. in a period between April 16 and July 18.

That home has an Apopka postal code, but is actually just outside city limits, according to the Orange County property appraiser’s website. Moore owns this home as well.

Nelson also accuses Moore of paying her qualifying fee improperly, with a check that did not bear the signature of Moore’s campaign treasurer, as per state law.

The qualifying period for the Apopka mayor’s race already ended.

Nelson and Moore are also running against Apopka City Commissioner Nicholas Nesta.

The election is set for March 10.