Mahoning County Board of Elections reconsidering certification for incumbent Struthers Judge

The Mahoning County Board of Elections will be meeting on Tuesday to once again reconsider the certification of a candidate for Struthers Municipal Court Judge on the May 2023 Primary ballot.
Incumbent judge, Dominic Leone was announced as a Democratic candidate for Struthers Municipal Court Judge.
However, a clerk at the Mahoning County Board of Elections told 21 News that some of the signatures on his petition were deemed invalid, pushing him below the threshold of 50 signatures needed to be certified.
The Board held a meeting February 7, where it was determined that Leone was able to be certified due to him providing affidavits showing that those signatures were indeed valid.
Now, the Board has called for another meeting on Tuesday to reconsider this certification.
Attorney and former Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman, Dave Betras tells 21 News that the reason for this reconsideration is that one of the affidavits submitted by Leone was deemed invalid, once again putting him below the 50-signature threshold.
Betras says the Board will determine whether or not this affidavit is valid tomorrow.
If certified, Leone will be running against fellow Democrat, James Melone and Republican, Jennifer Ciccone.
Additionally, candidate for Youngstown First Ward Council, Dionne Lacey has appealed the Board's decision not to certify her.
A clerk at the Board of Elections previously told 21 News that Lacey only had 19 out of 25 signatures needed to be certified.
If the appeal is successful, Lacey will run against fellow Democrat and incumbent First Ward Councilman, Julius Oliver and Republican, Tracey Randall.