11-02-2025
Chairman requests board of elections moves offices immediately
MAHONING CO, Ohio (WKBN) — The Chairman of the Mahoning County Board of Elections reiterated his request Monday to move the board's offices as soon as possible.
Chairman Dave Betras laid out why he believes the Mahoning County Board of Elections should be moved out of Youngstown's Oakhill Renaissance Place immediately.
'We are out of compliance with the secretary of state for security protocol. Our machines are sitting on pallets with tarps on them and we're one election away from a disaster,' Betras said. In November, the Mahoning County Commissioners voted to buy the former Infocision building in Austintown for a possible new location for the Board of Elections. But the Commissioners say there must be a plan for the building before anyone moves in.
'And I'm not going to let the commissioners rest until we guard what is the most precious thing we could guard for anyone in this county and that's their vote,' Betras said.
At Monday's meeting, the board would not certify two candidates and two liquor options for the May 6 primary ballot.
Republican Tracy Randall will not be allowed to run for President of Youngstown City Council and Republican Robert Deagan will not be on the ballot for Struthers Second Ward Councilman.
Also, the Gateway Gas Mart on Youngstown's Glenwood Avenue and The Party Shop & Greek Imports on 12th Street in Campbell will not have their liquor options on the ballot.
'We can't set the bar any lower to put things in front of the voters but there has to be some minimum requirements and they can't even fulfill the minimum requirements,' said Betras.
The Administration of the Canfield Fairgrounds also wants all campaign signs on election days to be placed outside the exterior fence.
However, state law allows signs anywhere beyond 100 feet of the front door — and if the fairgrounds will not allow for signs at 100 feet — a new polling place in Canfield may have to be found.
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