PITTSBURGH — A political subdivision is suing the County of Allegheny and County of Allegheny Division of Elections, seeking declaratory relief.
The Municipality of Monroeville filed a complaint on July 3 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas against the defendants, alleging that they caused confusion among voters within the municipality.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, on Jan. 2, following the swearing in of Dr. Nicholas J. Gresock as mayor of Monroeville, his former position as councilperson for Ward 2 was filled by Eric Poach.
Poach was appointed by the council, for a term ending on Dec. 31, 2019, according to the election code, which stated that elections for local office can only appear on the ballot in the odd-numbered year.
However, the defendants decided to place the 2nd Ward Council Seat write-in position on the Nov. 6, 2018, general election ballot, contrary to law, the suit says.
The plaintiff holds the County of Allegheny and County of Allegheny Division of Elections responsible because the defendants allegedly subjected voters in the municipality to further confusion, caused diminution of the election process and disenfranchisement of 2nd Ward voters in the municipality.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in favor of plaintiff, declaratory relief that the election code supersedes the provisions of the HRC and that the appointment of Poach is valid through December 2019, enjoin defendants from including a write-in position on the Nov. 6 general election ballot, and other relief that is just and proper.
They are represented by Robert J. Wratcher of Law Office of Robert J. Wratcher LLC in Pittsburgh.