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Elections board reopens hearing into Aey’s education
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David Aey
Board members say they’re inclined to allow David Aey to run as a write-in.
YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Board of Elections will reopen a hearing Tuesday to determine whether David Aey has the education requirements needed to run as a write-in county sheriff candidate.
Members said earlier this week they were inclined to certify him as a write-in candidate.
Because the board didn’t issue subpoenas at the request of an attorney for Sheriff Randall Wellington for last week’s hearing, the discussion is being reopened.
The board had planned to meet today to vote on Aey’s eligibility.
They canceled that meeting after the Mahoning County prosecutor’s office advised the board to reopen the hearing, election officials say.
Also, the secretary of state’s office referred the board to an advisory opinion that allows subpoenas to be issued on matters such as this.
Though both sides can issue subpoenas, board members say they’ll have the final say as to who testifies Tuesday.
Wellington, a Democrat, is protesting the eligibility of Aey to run as a write-in.
Wellington questions whether Aey has the post-secondary education required to run for the position.
Aey’s attorneys provided a certified transcript to the elections board last week showing that their client has 60 credit hours, more than enough to qualify as a candidate.
Regardless of the outcome, election officials don’t expect Tuesday to be the end of this issue.
“Let’s face it: It will go to the Ohio Supreme Court,” said Joyce Kale-Pesta, the board’s deputy director.
On a separate issue, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner ruled Monday that Aey is eligible to run as a write-in candidate.
Aey was removed by the Ohio Supreme Court from the March Democratic primary because he didn’t have the qualifications to be a candidate.
skolnick@vindy.com