MEDIA – An elector is objecting to a prospective candidate’s nomination petition to appear on the ballot for the Upper Darby Township Council as a Democrat, in May’s upcoming primary election.
Sybil Bell of Upper Darby filed objections on March 13 in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, regarding the electoral nomination petition initiated by Kathleen Johnson, also of Upper Darby.
“On or about March 7, 2017, respondent [Johnson] filed a nomination petition with the Election Bureau of Delaware County seeking to appear as a Democratic candidate for the Township Council of Upper Darby Township, on the ballot for the May 16, 2017 primary election,” the motion says.
Bell adds Johnson also failed to file a statement of financial interests with the Delaware County Board of Elections office by March 7, the last day in which to do so in order to be eligible to appear on the May 16, 2017 primary ballot.
Bell disputed the validity of a number of signatures on Johnson’s nomination petition for a variety of reasons, including that the candidate did not list a date and several address-related disputes.
In total, Bell says 11 of the 17 signatures which appear on Johnson’s petition are invalid, which thus makes her ineligible to appear on the ballot for the primary election – since 10 valid signatures are required for that to occur.
For relief, Bell is seeking Johnson’s name stricken from the Democratic ballot for the upcoming primary election for Upper Darby Township Council on May 16.
Bell is represented by Ryan M. Paddick of Paddick Law Office, in West Chester.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case 2017-002450
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com