Local News
Ballot questions prompt emergency board meeting
Problem may change outcome of Wright vs. Trebuchon-Wertz race
By MARK TODD
Staff Writer
mtodd@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — A potential problem with last month’s provisional ballots has prompted an emergency meeting today of the Ashtabula County Board of Elections, officials said.
There’s a chance the problem may have a bearing on the two closest contests on the general election ballot, including the see-saw battle between two Ashtabula Board of Education candidates, Deborah Wright and incumbent board president Janine Trebuchon-Wertz.
Members will meet at 10 a.m. at the election board office, 8 W. Walnut St., Jefferson.
Duane Feher, the board’s deputy director, said a problem may have developed with the provisional ballots counted several days after the Nov. 3 election. A tabulation error apparently occurred, he said.
“It appears the provisional ballots were double-counted,” he said Tuesday. “We’ll review (the situation) with everybody (at this morning’s meeting).”
Provisional ballots — those cast outside a voter’s usual polling place — along with absentee ballots delivered after the election but postmarked prior to the voting, combined to reverse the outcome for the third Ashtabula school board seat. On Election NIght, Trebuchon-Wertz was the winner by 29 votes. When the extra votes were added, Wright had pulled ahead by a scant 24-vote margin.
Because of the tiny margin, a recount in the race was scheduled for Thursday morning. That count now may be delayed, depending on the board’s wishes, Feher said.
“There’s a good chance (the recount) will be postponed,” he said.
The election board certified the results at a Nov. 24 special meeting.
Trebuchon-Wertz won the Election Day battle, collecting 2,840 votes compared to 2,650 votes for Wright. However, Wright overcame that advantage by receiving 615 absentee votes and 62 provisional votes, while Trebuchon-Wertz earned 429 absentee and 34 provisional votes, according to election board figures.
Provisional ballots were also a factor in the outcome of a Windsor Township operating levy that was deadlocked on Election Night. Provisional and absentee ballots gave the issue a six-vote victory.
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