Waterville councilwoman’s daughters accused of voter fraud
Written by Kristen Rapin | | krapin@toledofreepress.comThe daughters of a Waterville council member are being accused of voter fraud.
On Jan. 29, Jan Lowe, of Waterville, submitted a letter to the Lucas County Board of Elections (BOE) challenging two voter registrations.
Lowe contested the registrations of Ruthann Cherry and Lisa Cherry, claiming evidence demonstrates that neither live in Waterville and neither are eligible to vote in Waterville. She also requested an investigation into “their possible fraudulent voter registration and actions to commit voter fraud in past elections.”
The letter states both women voted in the November 2009 election in which their mother, Ann Cherry, was up for and won reelection to the Village of Waterville council. Evidence was submitted that claims the daughters own property, work or reside in other cities or states.
“There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that suggests Ruthann Cherry lives … in Springboro, Ohio,” Lowe wrote. “Warren County property records show Ruthann Cherry owns property [there]. Also, Defiance College Alumni information states Ruthann Cherry and her husband … reside in Springboro.”
Lowe also included a printout of Lisa Cherry’s LinkedIn page, which states she has worked for a North Carolina university since 2007.
Attempts to contact Ann Cherry about the challenge against her daughters were unsuccessful.
Under Ohio Revised Code 3503.24, to challenge a voter’s registration, the Secretary of State Form 257 must be filled out and filed with the BOE.
The BOE sent Lowe those forms on Feb. 2 for her to file.
According to Linda Howe, director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, the challenge is not official until they receive the SOS Form 257. Once forms are filed, the board has 10 days in which to schedule a hearing, she said.
The hearing would determine whether to remove the voters from the registration list. The board may then choose to turn the case over the Lucas County Prosecutors Office, Howe said.
According to Ohio Revised Code 3599.11, knowingly registering for a precinct in which a voter is not qualified is a 5th degree felony. Ohio Revised Code 3599.12 states that voting in a precinct in which a person is not a legally qualified voter is a 4th degree felony.
Derek Merrin, the mayor of Waterville, told Toledo Free Press in a Feb. 5 e-mail, “The allegations are serious and should be investigated. It’s disappointing that Waterville elections may have been compromised. Fair elections are critical to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.”
Lowe, the central committee secretary for the Lucas County Republican Party faction led by Jeff Simpson,wrote in her letter to the BOE that Waterville has had a number village council elections decided by fewer than four votes.
Wow, this is alarming. Perhaps the investigators can look into whether Councilman Cherry was a party to voter fraud through possible coercion.
This comment was posted on February 5th, 2010 at 6:49 pmHmmm….I sense a resignation.
This comment was posted on February 5th, 2010 at 9:35 pmAfter voting for 2 term limits, she runs for a third term on council. Hmmmm…the rules apply to everyone else but her?
This comment was posted on February 6th, 2010 at 8:25 pmCherry needs to voluntarily step aside until all allegations are cleared.
This comment was posted on February 6th, 2010 at 8:39 pmAre there any acorns by these three trees?
This comment was posted on February 9th, 2010 at 1:21 pmOne question…Are all her votes on council
null and void as of November ??
This is an outrage. I’m tired of elected officials thinking they are above the law.
To illegally use your own daughters to win an election is terrible.
Let’s see if the county’s legal system will hold these people accountable—I’ll hold my breath.
This comment was posted on February 9th, 2010 at 2:02 pm