ORWELL — Orwell voters will have to pay attention to their ballots today, as an error on the village charter change measure could impact election results.
The charter change, which eliminates the mayor’s position, two council seats and three board of public affairs position, was listed correctly as a charter change on the ballot and the changes are clearly outlined, Ashtabula County election board director Richard Hornstein said.
“But where voters actually place their vote, it says ‘for the levy’ or ‘against the levy,’” he said.
Hornstein said every Orwell polling place was given posters alerting voters to the error, all Orwell poll workers and judges were notified, and each ballot will come with the written correction.
“The correction will be handed to every voter in Orwell,” Hornstein said.
Orwell Mayor Larry Bottoms said he is concerned voters won’t see the correction and some might quickly scan the ballot and vote against what they think is a tax levy.
“It is certainly a concern,” Bottoms said. “The ballot does say amendment to the charter and does say what the changes are, but there is some concern that some votes may be made in error.”
Hornstein said early voters by absentee ballot can’t change their votes.
“The votes will count as they were cast,” he said. “There is no going back.”
Hornstein said he doesn’t think there will be any legal ramifications in the ballot error.
“In my 28 years, there has only been one other time something was printed wrong,” he said. “Every once in awhile something slips, but I don’t think this will be a problem.”
Charter committee member Randy Armstrong said the seven-person committee worked for nine months on the changes, and each registered voter in Orwell was sent a copy of the entire charter last month.
Bottoms said he is counting on poll workers to explain the error to voters.
“With posters at every booth and table and correction slips to every voter, hopefully this won’t impact the outcome of the charter change measure,” he said.
Local News
Election error calls Orwell charter a ‘levy’
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
