Lucas Co. board probes DeGidio’s residency

Mahoning County gets form from elections worker

8/20/2013

DeGidio

THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
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The Mahoning County Board of Elections in Youngstown last week received what appears to be a voter registration application from Anthony DeGidio, a member of the Lucas County Board of Elections, according to a document obtained by The Blade.

If real, the application would likely severely compromise Mr. DeGidio’s claim to being a Lucas County resident — and his ability to stay on the elections board.

Mahoning County sent it to the Lucas County Board of Elections to inquire about the duplicate voter registration on Tuesday.

Mr. DeGidio did not return repeated phone calls from The Blade seeking comment Tuesday.

Thomas McCabe, deputy director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, confirmed his agency received an online application from Mr. DeGidio on Aug. 13, to change his address to Youngstown. But he said Mr. DeGidio was registered in Mahoning County only for about two days before someone at the Lucas County Board of Elections advised the agency to restore him to Lucas County.

In the exchange of emails obtained by The Blade, Mr. DeGidio’s name, birthdate, driver’s license number, and the last four digits of his Social Security number appear to have been filled in but were redacted for privacy reasons by elections officials. The document also displays his signature.

Jon Stainbrook Lucas County elections board member said Mr. DeGidio applied for voter registration in Mahoning County through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, either intentionally or accidentally.

“He lives in Youngstown. How many people register a car in a county they don’t live in?” Mr. Stainbrook said. “He voted at a [Lucas County Board of Elections] meeting [Monday] when he actually doesn’t live here, and he registered to vote in Mahoning County the 13th of August.

“It’s clear, again, that Mr. DeGidio does not reside in Lucas County,” said Mr. Stainbrook, who previously wrote a letter to Ohio Secretary of State John Husted complaining that Mr. DeGidio should be removed from the elections board. Mr. Stainbrook and Mr. DeGidio are the two Republicans on the four-member elections board, but they have had a falling-out.

Mr. DeGidio recently was the subject of a challenge from a resident accusing him of having moved to Youngstown and no longer being a valid registered voter in Lucas County. The challenge was supported by Mr. Stainbrook, who originally helped to get Mr. DeGidio appointed to the board. The challenge was voted down by the other two board members, Democrats Ron Rothenbuhler and John Irish, who agreed with Mr. DeGidio’s claim that he considers Lucas County his permanent residence and plans to move back here.

Since then, Mr. DeGidio has sided on several key votes with the Democrats against Mr. Stainbrook.

Meghan Gallagher, Lucas County director of elections, declined to comment while the situation was being investigated.

John Borell, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor who advises the board, said, “We'll have to take a closer look.”

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419--724-6058 or an Twitter @TomFTroy.