Published Friday, March 19, 1999 Their petitions for the other party were rejected by the Mercer County Board of Elections, possibly because they overlooked some of the instructions given to candidates, said James Bennington, director of the county Registration and Election Office.
Those affected are: James Carothers, Democratic candidate for Lakeview Area School Board; William Madura, a Republican running for Greenville Area School Board; Nick Morocco, a Sharon Democrat; and Mari Alice Garvis, a Democrat running for Grove City Area School Board.
Bennington said voters' signatures must be gathered by a registered voter who is a member of the party named on the petition. The four candidates circulated petitions for both parties themselves, he said.
"It was pretty cut and dry. The instructions said they could cross-file, but a candidate can't circulate both parties' petitions," Bennington said. "It was on the instruction sheet but some overlooked it."
Madura said he was unaware of the requirement.
"I didn't read their instructions," he said. "It was my fault. I don't understand the logic that you have to be a Democrat to get Democratic signatures. The people who circulate the petition should get the signatures."
Bennington said the candidates could have appealed the decision in Mercer County Common Pleas Court, but no one did. The last day to file objections was Tuesday.
Madura said he did not plan to appeal because he is still on the ballot as a Republican.
The remaining candidates could not be reached for comment this morning.
