Ohio County Admits Election Errors in GOP Executive Committee Race | News, Sports, Jobs

SANTORINE

WHEELING – Ohio County elections officials admit a mistake happened regarding magisterial district lines and a contest for a County Republican Executive Committee seat.

Ohio County Solicitor Don Tennant released a statement Friday acknowledging the county failed to notify as many as 13 voters in the Falls Road area that they were no longer in Magisterial District 2, but had been moved into District 1.

County commissioners also were not called upon to approve the change in magisterial districts, according to the statement.

Among the voters affected was Dolph Santorine, who had filed to run in the County Republican Executive Committee – Male race in District 2.

“The Ohio County Elections Office has confirmed that prior to the 2022 Primary Election (on Tuesday), voters in an area of Ohio County were moved from voting at Precinct 16-A to Precinct 13-A. The registered voters received notice of the precinct change,” the statement read.

The move was made as part of the legislative redistricting process, manded by West Virginia law, to adjust for population changes in the House of Delegates District boundaries, it continued.

“Unfortunately, making the precinct change inadvertently caused a change in some voters’ assigned magisterial district without a confirmed order by the Ohio County Commission and without the statutory notice required by law,” the statement said. “The change of magisterial voters was unintended.

“This affected one race, that being the Republican Executive County Committee District 2 Male race. It is believed that the approximate number of voters affected in the above stated contest is 12 to 13.”

The Elections Office is in the process of correcting the district boundaries for future elections. Voters affected will be notified by mail prior to the general election in November.”

Two males are elected to the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee from each of the three magisterial districts in the county.

Election Night totals saw Santorine receive 531 votes in the race, with Gregory W. Smith getting the second seat with 401. Alex Coogan was just five votes behind with 396, Russell Hardman had 240, and Michael Borsuk ended with 211.

Santorine would have run unopposed alongside Robert Luchetti in the District 1 race had he filed in that district.

The statement released by the county makes no reference to what becomes of the election results in the GOP executive committee race.

When contacted, Tennant said he could add no additional comment. He did note that the commissioners, as the board of canvass review, will meet at 9 a.m. Monday “to count the ballots, review the provisional votes, and ultimately certify the elections.”

Once the election is certified, West Virginia Code allows “a candidate, aggrieved voter or institution” to contest the canvass results. This would result in a hearing before the board of canvass.

If the entity filing the contest isn’t satisfied with the results, that entity can file suit in Circuit Court.

Santorine did not think the matter needs to be resolved legally. He said he may attend the canvass on Monday.

“I have no reason to take them to court. There is nothing to prove here,” Santorine said. “I believe the county has corrected the issue. I am pleased with the outcome.

“It is my understanding that the election on District 2 prevails. The county commission is taking steps to correct that misunderstanding.”