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Resident raises concerns about candidate residency verification and election records
Summary
During public comment, resident Dave Smith urged Lima City Council to examine code language on candidate residency and described difficulties obtaining records from the Allen County Board of Elections; he cited instances of a candidate using a Pennsylvania driver’s license and absentee voting and said the Board did not provide copies of evidence.
During the public-comment period at the March 10 Lima City Council meeting, Dave Smith of 515 Ashwood Avenue addressed council members about changes to the city code concerning candidate residency and the process for review by election authorities.
"I first want to thank you for allowing me privilege of the floor to address the changes to the city code concerning residency of candidates," Smith said, then summarized his review of the code and the role he says the Allen County Board of Elections and state agencies play in verifying candidate addresses.
Smith referenced Lima City Code Chapter 209 and the Ohio Revised Code when describing the criteria used to verify residency. He said the code references driver's license, voter registration, federal, state and city income tax records and at least two of the following: the person's mailing address, the address where they own or rent, or location of real estate for which the individual claimed a property tax exemption or reduction.
Smith described a specific contest from a recent election in which, he said, at least two candidates likely did not meet residency requirements and one candidate later went to prison. He said the Board of Elections review of one candidate relied on a Pennsylvania driver’s license, that the board did not copy evidence presented at its review and that a court reporter who was asked to make a transcript refused to provide a copy. He said the candidate had a long history of absentee voting and did not have an Ohio driver’s license; the candidate allegedly used only a partial Social Security number for identification.
Smith said he had requested records from the Allen County Board of Elections and had inquired with local and state auditors about whether Ohio income taxes had been paid; he said the auditors would not provide comment and that the Ohio BMV had said the matter was tied to litigation and could not be discussed.
"I thought you may have some interest in this," Smith said as he closed his remarks. The council did not take formal action during the meeting in response to Smith’s remarks; the clerk returned to the agenda after the public comment period concluded.
