Husted names 2 former judges to oversee Lucas Co. Board of Elections

5/20/2014

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today appointed two former Lucas County judges to oversee the troubled Lucas County Board of Elections as it finishes certifying the results of the May 6 election.

Mr. Husted named Republican Peter Handwork and Democrat Charles Wittenberg to be a bipartisan oversight team.

The move comes as the Secretary of State, who by law oversees all elections boards in Ohio, has tentatively determined removing three of Lucas County‘s four board members and its director and deputy director, because of what he has referred to as a history of dysfunction and neglect of duty.

Judge Handwork recently retired from the Ohio 6th District Court of Appeals and Judge Wittenberg from Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

The elections board still has to verify the results from the May 6 election and is scheduled to meet Wednesday to determine the eligibility of about 200 provisional ballots.