Township supervisor alleges election irregularities, asks sheriff and clerk to investigate

Township Supervisor Dan Bonamie told the Crawford County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 10 that a recount in Beaver Creek Township on Oct. 9 turned up 475 absentee and same‑day votes, which he said included 33 crossover votes and four overvotes. Bonamie said those findings prompted concern that ballots were improperly counted and asked Sheriff Ryan Swope and Clerk Jamie McClain to investigate the August 2024 election.

Bonamie characterized the ballots as problematic, saying in the meeting that the ballots "are void by law" and alleging the voting software contributed: he told commissioners that he believes the Dominion software "should not allow ballot initiatives to be counted if there is a crossover or overvote." Independent election investigator Scott Aughney was introduced by Bonamie and said he found irregularities that prompted a recount by Beaver Creek Township Clerk Beaudet.

Commissioners did not make a formal finding at the meeting; Bonamie asked for an inquiry and named local officials to follow up. Sheriff Ryan Swope and Clerk Jamie McClain were present during the remarks. Clerk McClain had earlier reported that Public Accuracy testing on Oct. 3 "went well with no issues and zero public attended," and she was asked to account for election records and procedures as part of any follow-up. The board did not vote on a formal investigation during the Oct. 10 meeting.

The claim concerns vote handling and voting-system behavior reported in a single‑township recount; no court, audit or other agency determination was presented at the meeting. Commissioners deferred any immediate action beyond hearing the request. Follow-up would require formal investigative steps by the sheriff's office or the county clerk, or referral to state election authorities.