Brunner will review findings

It was the response of a few voters that prompted the on-going investigation into 92 absentee ballots that were sent out less than a month before the upcoming Nov. 2, general election.

Columbus attorney Andrew Baker arrived at the board of elections office at the Lawrence County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon to review the ballots that were directed to go to one of two post office boxes. Neither post office box was the home address of the individual requesting the absentee ballot.

“Due to the discrepancy between the post office box address listed for delivery of the absentee ballots and statements of those electors contacted by the board of elections staff, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has determined that this matter should be investigated,” according to a letter to Karen Matney Simmons, chair of the board, from Brian Shinn, general counsel to Brunner’s office.

After employees at the county board noticed a number of applications for absentee ballots were going to the post office boxes, they did a spot check of the voters asking them where they wanted their ballot sent. Every fifth applicant was phoned.

On most of the calls the workers found the phones listed on the application were disconnected. However, those they did get in touch with said they wanted their ballot sent to their home address.

“(The investigation) is not unprecedented,” according to Kevin Kidder from the secretary of state’s office. “It has happened before. It is not that common. Procedurally he will investigate and report his findings back.”

There is no specific time frame as to the deadline for the report.

“We are cognizant that an election is coming up,” Kidder said.

Attorneys on staff at Brunner’s office along with the secretary of state will review the report. Kidder declined to say what possible outcomes could be.