Traficant makes November ballot as independent candidate

Ex-U.S. Rep. Jim Traficant’s name will be on the November ballot as an independent candidate for the 17th Congressional District seat.

The formal decision will be made Wednesday by the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

But at a meeting today, the Mahoning County Board of Elections rules that 31 signatures on Traficant’s nominating petitions were valid — 11 more than he needed to qualify as an independent candidate for the seat.

Traficant had initially fallen 107 votes short.

But thanks to the efforts of Linda Kovachik of Boardman and Werner Lange of Newton Falls, two longtime Traficant friends, who pointed out errors in the number of signatures the ex-congressman needed as well as having elections boards in the 17th District reconsider the validity of other signatures, Traficant will be on the November ballot.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com