The Democratic Party nomination petitions submitted by three candidates for school board supervisor positions have been rejected at the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.
The petitions to set aside the nomination petitions were heard on Monday by Adams County President Judge Michael A. George.
The rulings do not prevent the candidates from running in the primary election; they only prevent them from running as a Democrat. Each of the candidates has also filed as a Republican and will run in that primary only.
Each school board candidate from either the Republican or Democratic Party is required to have 10 valid signatures of support from registered members of that party who live within the school district boundary. If some signatures are disallowed after being submitted and the number of valid signatures is less than 10 the candidate cannot be on the ballot for that party.
According to state law, candidates for school board may “cross-file,” running in both the Republican and the Democratic primaries.
Signatures on the Democratic Party nomination petition of Cynthia E. Ayers, a presumptive candidate for School Director in the Gettysburg Area School District, were challenged. Judge George concurred with the challenge and ruled that, because she no longer had 10 valid signatures, Ayers shall not be identified as a Democratic candidate for School Director of the Gettysburg Area School District in the 2023 Primary Election.
Signatures on the Democratic Party nomination petition of Martha O’Bryant, a presumptive candidate for School Director in the Gettysburg Area School District, were challenged. Judge George concurred with the challenge and ruled that because she no longer had 10 valid signatures, O’Bryant shall not be identified as a Democratic candidate for School Director of the Gettysburg Area School District in the 2023 Primary Election.
Signatures on the Democratic Party nomination petition of Christine Hayes, a presumptive candidate for School Director in the Conewago Valley School District, were challenged. Judge George concurred with the challenge and ruled that Hayes shall not be identified as a Democratic candidate for School Director of the Conewago Valley School District in the 2023 Primary Election.
Michael also ruled, for all three candidates, that they must pay any costs related to the filing of the actions.
George also heard four other nomination petition challenges on Monday and is expected to rule on them this week.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.