State party sanctions Trumbull Dems for having secret ballot for commissioner

WARREN — The chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party has responded with sanctions against the Trumbull Democratic Central Committee for casting secret ballots that elected Mauro Cantalamessa interim county commissioner today.

The penalties could include the ouster of Dan Polivka from his position as county party chairman if he does not have a public re-vote.

Democratic national and state bylaws require public votes.

The Trumbull committee went ahead with secret ballots despite warnings last week from state party Secretary William DeMora. The secretary attended the vote and was seen having a heated discussion with Polivka about the decision.

Chris Redfern, state party chairman, said he expects the state executive committee to vote to censure Polivka, who is a county commissioner.

“The rules are clear — there are no secret ballots, period, and the discussion ends at that point,” Redfern told The Vindicator. “If he refuses [to have a re-vote], we will seek his removal as chairman.”

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