Dennis Fornelli will be appealing the Starke County Election Board’s decision to remove him from the ballot as a Republican candidate for Starke County Sheriff in the May 2022 Primary Election.
Candidate challenges were heard by the Starke County Election Board Tuesday morning.
As previously reported, a challenge was brought forward against Republican candidate Dennis Fornelli for Starke County Sheriff. According to the challenge, Fornelli had not voted in two Primary Elections as a Republican. Fornelli disputed that as he stated that he voted Republican in the 2020 Primary Election, but there was an issue and he had to sign paperwork in order for him to vote. The board members claimed there was no paperwork, no certificate of error found and no signature on the poll book so it appeared he did not vote in the 2020 Primary Election. Fornelli said it was poll worker error and there was a lot of confusion in the election especially with COVID, and he should be allowed to stay on the ballot. Fornelli also said that emails to Republican Chairman Dave Kesvormas were not answered about signing off on his Republican candidacy to run for sheriff, and that he did the same for other candidates running for other office. Fornelli added that he is a Republican in good standing. The board ruled by a 2-1 vote that Fornelli be taken off the ballot due to his prior voting record. Board members Bernadette Manuel and Chairman Marcia Bedrock voted in favor of the vote with Colleen Hodge abstaining from the vote.
The appeal will be heard in court.
