May 29, 2015 5 min read

WAYNESBURG – Write-in votes cast in the May 19 primary election will help fill out the ballot for the general election in November for school directors in the Central Greene and Southeastern Greene districts, as well as for several municipal offices.

The write-in votes were included in the vote tally conducted as part of the election canvass, which was completed Friday by Greene County Elections Office.

The first signing of the election computation by the elections board was done Friday morning, which means any candidate who wishes to challenge the results will have five days, or until Tuesday, to do so, said Tina Kiger, elections office director. The results will receive the board’s second and final signature on Wednesday, she said.

People who received nominations by write-in votes will be mailed letters by the elections office asking them if they want to accept the nomination.

To receive a nomination for school director or any municipal office, a candidate must have received at least 10 write-in votes and be a top vote-getter.

In both Central Greene and Southeastern Greene, not enough candidates appeared on the ballot to fill the number of open seats.

In Central Greene, only one candidate appeared on the ballot for five open seats. The district elects directors in three voting districts.

Sharon Bennett was the only candidate to run, cross-filing for the voting district covering Perry, Wayne and Whiteley townships, where two seats were open. She received nominations from both parties.

Sarah Hughes also received a nomination on the Democratic ballot with 10 write-in votes.

Two candidates received both nominations by write-in votes in the voting district covering Franklin and Washington townships.

Two seats were open. Beth Hellems received 262 write-in votes on the Democratic ballot and 142 write-in votes on the Republican ballot.

John Bristor received 141 write-in votes on the Democratic ballot and 77 write-in votes on the Republican ballot.

In the voting district for Waynesburg Borough, where one seat was open, Rachel Shultz won the Democratic nomination with 49 write-in votes and the Republican nomination with 13 write-in votes.

In Southeastern Greene, where five candidates are elected at large, three candidates appeared on the ballot, Joe Spiker, J.R. Antill and Ginny Eberhart. Each won nominations from both parties.

For the remaining two seats, Dave Garrison won both nominations with 105 Democratic write-in votes and 23 Republican write-in votes. Leonard Novak won a Democratic nomination with 26 write-in votes.

Write-in votes will result in competitive races in several municipalities.

In Washington Township, Scott Johnson, whose name was on the ballot for the Democratic nomination, won that nomination. No candidate appeared on the Republican ballot. However, Johnson could be challenged in the fall by Walt Stout, who won the Republican nomination with 36 write-in votes.

In Ward II, Waynesburg Borough, where one seat is open, Eric Rush, whose name appeared on the ballot for the Republican nomination, won that spot. No candidate appeared on the Democratic ballot. However, Greg Leathers won the Democratic nomination with 17 write-in votes.

In Gray Township, a write-in candidate received a Republican nomination and tied for the Democratic nomination for supervisor.

Dave Bowers, the only candidate on the ballot for the Democratic nomination, received 10 votes. However, a write-in candidate, James Thomas also received 10 write-in votes on the Democratic ballot to tie Bowers. Thomas won a Republican nomination with 13 write-in votes. Ties will be decided by the casting of lots.

Write-ins also may result in a race for council in Carmichaels Borough, where three seats are open. Two Democratic candidates on the ballots, Josephine Gresko and Charles Walker III, each won nominations.

For the third seat, David Antonini won a Republican nomination with 11 write-in votes. He also received 20 write-in votes on the Democratic ballot.

However, John Samek also received 20 write-in votes on the Democratic ballot. One vote on the Democratic ballot also was written in with just the name “Samek” and one vote was written in for “Daviv Antonelli.”

Neither “Samek” nor “Daviv Antonelli” is assumed to be a vote for John Samek or David Antonini, respectively, Kiger said. Samek and Antonini could each attempt to claim the extra vote by filing a petition with the Greene County Court, which would have to decide the matter.

Races will appear for auditor in two municipalities because of write-in votes. In Center Township, Harry D. Gillispie ran on the Democrat ballot and won the nomination with 190 votes; however, Robert Kirgan received a Republican nomination with 21 write-in votes.

In Monongahela Township, Andrea Rumble ran as a Democrat and won the nomination with 136 votes. Larry Rogerson received a Republican nomination with 17 write-in votes.

Write-in votes also added candidates to the ballot for elections in which there were none on the ballot.

David Teagarden received the Democratic nomination for mayor in Clarksville Borough with 11 write-in votes; Charles Plasko received a Democratic nomination for auditor in Cumberland Township with 94 write-in votes; Joshua Chapman received both nominations for Freeport Township supervisor with 15 Democratic write-in votes and 10 Republican write-in votes; Keith McManus received a Democratic nomination for mayor in Greensboro Borough with 10 write-in votes; and Brian Crockard and Tom Teegarden, received Democratic nominations for Rices Landing Borough Council, each with 10 write-in votes.