New muni judge to be appointed by governor; no special election

YOUNGSTOWN

There won’t be a special election in November to fill the seat on Youngstown Municipal Court being vacated Aug. 1 by Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr., according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.

An initial review of state law and the Ohio Constitution led city Law Director Anthony Farris and Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Mark Munroe to believe an election in November would be needed.

But in a late Friday email to Farris, Gretchen A. Quinn, the secretary of state’s elections counsel, clarified the issue.

Judge Douglas announced April 30 that he would retire Aug. 1 from his seat on the city’s municipal court. His term ends Dec. 31, 2013.

Under state law, Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, fills judicial vacancies.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.