Trumbull probes irregular petitions

There's no indication Randy Walter was involved in irregularities, an election official says.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Elections is conducting an investigation into irregular petitions filed by Randy Walter, an independent candidate for the 17th District Congressional seat.
The elections board made the decision after a long executive session Friday.
Walter is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Niles Democrat, in the November general election.
Kelly Pallante, elections board director, said the board has called for a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. June 19.
She said the board wants to question two people who circulated Walter's petitions: Georgene Mummey of Poland and Patrick Vannetti of Howland.
Rokey Suleman, board deputy director, said there is no indication that Walter is involved.
Signatures don't match
Pallante said that 20 signatures on petitions filed by Mummey and 28 by Vannetti don't match the signatures on record at the elections board.
Walter pointed out that he had 150 people circulating his petitions and the vast majority performed properly.
He said he doesn't condone any such action, and regrets what happened, if it did. Walter added that he wants his name on the ballot so he can begin making plans to make the Mahoning Valley a place where there are jobs and opportunities.
Walter's petitions won't be certified until the issue of irregular signatures is settled. The board has until July 15 to certify the petitions.
Neither Mummey nor Vannetti returned messages left at their homes seeking comment.
Pallante said that Walter could be disqualified if enough irregularities are found.
Walter filed 3,460 signatures with the boards of elections that encompass the 17th District. Besides Trumbull County, they include Mahoning, Portage and Summit counties.
A candidate needs 1,844 certified signatures to be placed on the ballot as a 17th District candidate.
Trumbull only
Pallante said Trumbull is the only county in which irregularities on Walter's petitions have been found. Mahoning, Portage and Summit counties have validated the signatures on petitions filed with the respective election boards.
"There is no indication of any other irregularities at this time, although we may or may not bring up more. We don't know," Suleman said.
"There is nothing we know of now that would throw out the entire petitions," he added.
yovich@vindy.com