Opinion ID: 2690110
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: {¶ 3} Scott submitted a declaration of candidacy to run in the May 6, 2014 primary for an elected position on the Democratic Party State Central Committee. Along with the declaration, Scott submitted a nominating petition containing nine total signatures. SUPREME COURT OF OHIO {¶ 4} To qualify for the ballot, Scott needed valid signatures from five qualified electors residing in the appropriate district who are members of the Democratic Party. R.C. 3513.05. {¶ 5} Appellee, the Franklin County Board of Elections, determined that four signatures were valid. The board concluded that four signatures were not valid: two signatories lived outside the district boundaries and two others were not registered at the addresses listed on the petition. Scott does not dispute these conclusions. {¶ 6} The board’s staff marked the final signature, that of Tara Patel, with the notation “NG” to indicate that it was “not genuine.” The board agreed that Patel’s signature was invalid. Therefore, on February 18, 2014, the board rejected Scott’s declaration because, in the board’s judgment, Scott did not submit five valid signatures. Scott filed a timely notice of appeal with the board. {¶ 7} On March 4, 2014, the board held a hearing on his protest. Manasi Chatterji, the petition circulator, testified that she witnessed Tara Patel sign the petition. Patel testified that she signed her name in cursive at Chatterji’s direction. {¶ 8} At the close of testimony, the board voted to deny Scott’s protest. {¶ 9} Scott filed a complaint for a writ of mandamus with the Tenth District Court of Appeals three days later, on March 7, 2014. The court denied the writ, and Scott timely appealed.