Ohio GOP'ers entered locked board of elections

[EricAblair]

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On September 17, 2024, I interviewed Tony Morelli and Andrew Plesich, current Republican elected officials who are running for re-election in Jefferson County Ohio. Tony Morelli is the current County Commissioner, and Andrew Plesich is the current Clerk of Courts.  

I asked Commissioner Morelli and Clerk Plesich about an incident that occurred on May 5, 2023 involving Morelli and Plesich allegedly entering  the closed and locked Jefferson County Ohio Board of elections office in Steubenville after hours. Morelli and Plesich were allegedly let in by a maintenance person who unlocked the door. 

Morelli and Plesich initially responded to my question with “no comment.” 

I pressed them further and Morelli says essentially that his “job as County Commissioner includes every building in the county…” and that “if (Morelli) wanted to go in anytime he would.”

Plesich scoffed that this topic was “ridiculous” to bring up before claiming, “we were doing our jobs…” 

Except, no.  It’s not Morelli and Plesich’s job to go into the closed and locked Board of Elections office after hours.  According to the rules, there must be someone from both parties present at all times while inside the Board of Elections.

I asked Morelli whether this was addressed in a Commissioner’s meeting. Morelli confirmed that the incident, in fact, was addressed in executive session and that he couldn’t comment further.

Local news is helping the republicans cover this up!