The Lawrence County Board of Elections voted Nov. 21 to refer two complaints about campaign materials to the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office for investigation.

County solicitor Jason Madore told the board the first complaint came from a representative of the League of Women Voters and concerned a postcard mailed in the Newcastle City Council race that was annotated underneath the recipient address with the handwritten initials "l w v," which the League said could be interpreted as its endorsement. Madore said the League assembled materials and filed a complaint and that the county should "turn over the complaint and the card to the DA's office for investigation of any criminal sanctions."

The second complaint concerned handbills distributed in the borough of New Wilmington on election day that allegedly omitted a required disclaimer identifying who paid for the material. Madore recommended referring both matters to the district attorney, saying the county lacked enforcement and investigative authority.

Several public commenters urged a formal investigation. Linda Morrison and Betsy Demorest identified themselves in the record as president and vice president of the Lawrence County League of Women Voters after the board asked for names. Candidate Ken Hilkey, who said he lost a local seat, told the board he believes a printed card distributed on election day influenced voters and that at least two people listed on the card did not know they had been grouped together. "I have lost this election, quite frankly, because of that card," Hilkey said, and asked what would stop someone from paying any fine and repeating the practice.

The board moved to refer both matters and approved that referral by roll call. The board named the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office (Joshua Lamacusa) as the recipient of the complaints for investigation and potential prosecution. No formal findings or charges were announced at the meeting; the matters were forwarded for review by the district attorney's office.