Athens County residents will not be able to vote in the upcoming election to determine whether a local bait and tackle business should be able to sell alcohol on Sundays because of a recently dismissed lawsuit.
Patricia Davis filed a complaint Aug. 29 against the Athens County Board of Elections after her local liquor option election petition was rejected.
The petition was for getting an issue on the ballot in the November election to allow Riverside Bait and Tackle, 590 State Route 144, Coolville, to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks on Sundays. Davis’ husband owns the store.
Athens County Court of Common Pleas Judge L. Alan Goldsberry dismissed the case Monday because Davis’ petition was filled out incorrectly and the Board of Elections has no legal duty to act on Davis’ complaint.
Davis circulated 12 copies of the petition. Two of the copies have Davis’ actual signature, but the other 10 had photocopies of her signature, which does not comply with the Ohio Revised Code, according to court documents.
Davis also signed as a circulator for the petition before obtaining elector signatures, which also violates the Ohio Revised Code, according to court documents.
Goldsberry decided that Davis’ actions did not comply with election laws and the case was dismissed.
ml147009@ohiou.edu
