Write-in candidates file to run in November election

Some incumbent write-ins are running unopposed.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- If at first you don't succeed, run as a write-in.
That seems to be the philosophy for some candidates running in the Nov. 8 election.
Eighteen, including five incumbents, filed nominating petitions last month to run for elected positions with their names on the ballot.
But for a variety of reasons -- ranging from not having enough valid signatures on their nominating petitions to failing to have their own signature on the forms -- their county elections boards disqualified them from the November general election.
Instead of getting out of the race, the candidates filed by Monday's deadline to run as write-ins. Candidates running as write-ins fill out a simple form and pay $30 to their county elections board.
Their names won't appear on the ballot, but there will be a line where voters can write in their names for the post. Only those who officially file as write-ins -- except in municipalities with charters that specifically address this issue -- can have their votes counted in Ohio. That means votes for Mickey Mouse aren't counted.
It's more difficult to win an election as a write-in compared to having your name on the ballot.
Sure to win
But a few candidates won't have any problems getting the nod.
Newton Falls Councilman Phillip M. Beer of the 4th Ward was thrown off the ballot earlier this month and filed as a write-in candidate.
Columbiana Mayor Lowell Schloneger was thrown off the ballot months ago, but filed as a write-in candidate.
Beer and Schloneger face no opposition so one vote for each and they retain their jobs.
Also, Fairfield Township Trustee Fred Grappy in Columbiana County is running as a write-in. There is only one other person running for the two trustee positions up for election in November in that township so he, too, will be re-elected.
Other incumbents running as write-ins face opposition, including Larry L. Long Jr. of the East Liverpool school board, Denise M. Domhoff of the Bloomfield-Mespo school board, and Delores Scyoc of the Rogers Village Council.
Campbell decision
A final decision still needs to be made by the Mahoning County Board of Elections about the status of two write-in candidates in Campbell: F. Anthony Fontes for council president and Tula Ellinos-Delphry for 4th Ward council.
The city's primary runoff is Sept. 27. In reviewing the city's charter, Campbell Law Director Brian J. Macala says there has to be more than two candidates filing petitions of candidacy to have a primary.
There is only one candidate on the ballot in each of those two races so there is no primary for those posts, he said.
Thomas McCabe, elections board deputy director, says the Ohio Secretary of State's Office concurs.
Because of Fontes' objections, however, McCabe is seeking the opinion of the county prosecutor's office before making a final decision. McCabe, Macala and Fontes' attorney were to have a conference call on the matter today.
"The secretary of state and the Campbell law director says he's not a candidate, but we're going to still look into it," McCabe said. "Officially, he's in a state of limbo for now."
McCabe had said last week that there wouldn't be primaries for council president and the 4th Ward seat, and that votes for the candidates on absentee ballots wouldn't be counted.
On Monday, he said he believes his prior decision was correct, but he would wait until the conference call.
Canfield board
Among the write-in candidates who didn't first file to have their name on the ballot is Bruce Brocker, a Canfield school board member since 2002.
There are three school board seats available in Canfield in November with four candidates, none of which are incumbents.
skolnick@vindy.com