Mahoning Dems to meet, vote on constitution changes

BOARDMAN — Mahoning County Democratic Party precinct committee members will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke Parish in Boardman to vote on significant changes to their constitution.

The party must comply with state and national Democratic mandates to have its chairperson and his/her successor be of opposite gender and eliminate secret ballots or face sanctions from the Ohio Democratic Party, said Mahoning Democratic Chairman David Betras.

The local party lost the use of the ODP’s discount on campaign mail and access to its computer-software system for voters because committee members last Saturday elected Betras as chairman and Ron Massullo as executive vice chairman. It was restored Tuesday with the assurance from Betras to ODP officials that the changes would occur.

Proposed amendments would change the secretary position to secretary/vice chairperson, who would be the immediate successor to the chairperson for no longer than 30 days. After that the party would elect a new chairperson to fill the unexpired term. Joyce Kale-Pesta, county board of elections director, was elected secretary Saturday.

She will automatically be elevated to the new position if the amendments are approved.

Secret ballots, a longstanding Mahoning Democratic practice, doesn’t comply with state and national parties’ rules. An amendment would eliminate that policy.

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