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Boardman election complaint referred to state
YOUNGSTOWN
A county agency has referred a complaint about a special election in Boardman to the state level.
Nathan Miller filed an elections complaint at the Mahoning County Board of Elections earlier this month. His complaints centered on the “United Against Crime” signs used by the Boardman Coalition Against Crime to show support of the 3.85-mill, five-year additional police levy on Tuesday’s ballot.
Miller claimed the township is using its resources for a political cause because “United Against Crime” signs are on public property and the coalition instructed residents to pick-up “United Against Crime” yard signs with political disclaimers at the police and fire stations. The signs no longer are available at the stations.
Miller also said some of the large “United Against Crime” signs now specifically mention the police levy without a political disclaimer.
Thomas McCabe, director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, said the board has referred Miller to file a complaint with the Ohio Ethics Commission.
“This isn’t really an elections complaint. We’ve told him — and so has the secretary of state — to go to the ethics commission,” McCabe said.
Atty. Julie M. Korte, interim chief investigative attorney for the ethics commission, said she cannot say whether a complaint has been filed or if an investigation is in progress.
Korte did say that a complaint would be referred to the ethics commission if it alleges a misuse of public resources for personal or business associates’ gain.
“For example, you can’t use a township computer or staff to do things that are not actually related to people’s jobs,” Korte said. “... Are employees taking breaks, taking vacation for the afternoon and handing out the signs? It’s one of the things where you have to have a lot more information.”
She said though it “could potentially be an issue,” she emphasized the need for more information.
A representative with the Ohio Elections Commission confirmed that the commission received a complaint from Miller on Monday and returned it to him the same day because several items were missing in the complaint such as it not being properly notarized. Miller has the option to re-submit the complaint, the representative said.