Monroe County election board receives three complaints, schedules hearings for June 4

The Monroe County Election Board on Tuesday formally received three complaints alleging election-law violations and voted to hold hearings on the matters as part of its June 4 meeting.

Chair Danny Shields moved that the board "formally received the complaints," a motion seconded by board member Penny Giddens and approved by roll call. County legal counsel Molly Turner King told the board the meeting's purpose was not to adjudicate the complaints on the merits but to determine whether there was a "substantial reason to believe an election law violation has occurred," which would trigger due-process hearings for complainants and the respondents.

Turner King said parties would receive notice of the complaints and any evidence the board has, the right to present evidence and witnesses, and the option to have counsel. She also explained that the board has discretionary authority to issue subpoenas but commonly sends certified notices inviting attendance before issuing compulsory subpoenas.

Board members discussed three separate matters. Penny Giddens clarified that the complaint against Janae Trimble concerned signature-gathering for an independent ballot line rather than activity during the primary; members agreed to table that item until Trimble's candidacy status is determined (Giddens noted a July 15 filing deadline for independent-candidate paperwork). The board found a substantial reason to hold a hearing on the complaint filed by Wheeler, and by motion added the complaint filed by McGarry to the same hearing schedule. The board identified "mister Davis" as the respondent in at least one matter; the board specifically referenced candidate Joe Davis when describing the hearings.

Shields moved that the hearings be held as part of the board's June 4 meeting (the board indicated that meeting typically begins at 1:30 p.m.); members approved the scheduling by roll call. Turner King said she would prepare certified notices, send them to complainants (Wheeler and McGarry) and to the candidate named in the complaints (mister Davis), and provide copies of complaints and any evidence to the parties "first thing Monday morning."

The board recorded several formal votes: receiving all three complaints, tabling the Trimble item pending candidate qualification, determining a substantial reason to hold a hearing on Wheeler's complaint, adding the McGarry complaint to the hearing schedule, directing county legal to issue notices, and adjourning the meeting. No hearings were conducted at the meeting itself.

What happens next

County legal will certify and mail notice and supporting documents to the complainants and the respondent(s). The board said it may issue subpoenas if necessary, but its stated preference was to invite parties to appear voluntarily before resorting to compulsion. If Trimble becomes a qualified candidate, the board can revisit the tabling decision and consider whether to set a hearing on that complaint.