Three protests pending against both auditor candidates

In a special meeting Monday evening, the Lawrence County Board of Elections discussed the procedure that will be followed regarding three protests against both candidates running for county auditor.

Chesapeake attorney and Republican Richard Myers made a filing with the board of elections to investigate possible irregularities regarding the circulation of the petition of Democratic candidate Jason Tolliver.

This past Friday, which was the deadline to file a protest with the board of elections, two more protests were filed; one by Democrat Amanda McCallister against Tolliver, and the other by Republican Kaileb Legge against Republican and incumbent county auditor Jason Stephens.

All three of the protests allege petition circulation irregularities against the candidates.

Regarding Myers’ protest, state law requires a protest to a petition be filed by someone of the same party as the candidate being protested for a primary race. With Myers being a Republican, filing a protest against Tolliver would be invalid.

The board will have another special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the three petitions. If any are found to be valid by the board on Monday, a hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, March 9.

Anyone who knowingly and intentionally submits false information, including people submitting petitions, the circulators or people giving the board info regarding a petition may be subject to criminal charges.