State ex rel. Schmelzer v. Board of Elections

It is well settled in this state “that election statutes are mandatory and must be strictly complied with.” State, ex rel. Senn, v. Bd. of Elections (1977), 51 Ohio St. 2d 173, 174 [5 O.O.3d 381], citing State, ex rel. Abrams, v. Bachrach (1963), 175 Ohio St. 257, 259 [25 O.O.2d 2], Also, “in the absence of allegations of fraud, corruption, abuse of discretion, or a clear disregard of statutes or applicable legal provisions,” decisions of a board of elections will not be disturbed. Id. at 175. Conversely, “mere technical irregularities” within an election petition will not serve to deny the…