An “opportunity to ballot” petition for the Conservative Party line was ruled invalid yesterday by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The petition would have triggered a primary, giving Conservative Party voters the option of writing in their choice for the party’s candidate for the position of Montgomery County Sheriff, or voting for the candidate who was already selected by the party, Jeffrey Smith, who will also appear on the Republican, Independence, and Reform party lines in November’s election. The petition was filed by Jim Glorioso, who will appear on the Democratic, Woman’s Equality, and Working Families party lines.
According to Board of Elections Commissioners Terrance Smith and Terry Bieniek, a total of 34 signatures was required for the petition to be valid. The petition listed 42 signatures. A challenge from Conservative Party member Cheryl Reese listed 25 objections to names on the petition, alleging errors in addresses, spelling of names, party membership status, that some signers had already signed a petition for Smith, and other errors. The board ruled on 16 of the 25 objections, unanimously sustaining nine of them. With nine signatures removed, the petition became invalid, and the board decided not to proceed with the remaining objections.
