DELAWARE — Secretary of State Frank LaRose has officially removed Melanie Leneghan from the Delaware County Board of Elections, effective May 3, following a ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court.
LaRose’s decision came after the Ohio Supreme Court unanimously denied Leneghan’s writ of mandamus, which sought to overturn the board’s April 10 decision canceling her voter registration and invalidating her candidacy.
The court’s decision centered on whether Leneghan had a “fixed habitation” in Delaware County, a requirement under Ohio law for voter residency.
In its ruling, the court found the Delaware County Board of Elections “did not abuse its discretion or act in clear disregard of applicable law” when it sustained Velva Dunn’s challenge to Leneghan’s residency.
Because Ohio law requires members of a county board of elections to be qualified electors, LaRose said Leneghan is no longer eligible to serve in the role.
“As far as the Supreme Court’s decision, of course we’re very disappointed,” Leneghan told Delaware Source.
“We didn’t anticipate that, and if I had anticipated that for a second, I wouldn’t have proceeded. So it was very disappointing, but that is what the court decided.
“Frank [LaRose] had no other choice but to do what he did, based on the court’s decision,” she said.
With the court upholding the board’s finding that Leneghan is not a resident of Delaware County for voting purposes, her candidacy for the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee remains invalid.
Votes for Leneghan in the May 5 primary election will not be counted.
Read LaRose’s full letter and the court’s entire decision below.
