One of the three Ohio University students planning to run for Athens City Council in this year’s election did not secure enough signatures to make the ballot.
Republican Aaron Grassel, 20, of Whitehall, Ohio, was informed last week that the Athens County Board of Elections deemed some of the signatures he submitted invalid.
“I had 62 total, 42 that I got myself and another 18 from the OU College Republicans,” Grassel said. “But they only counted 40 of mine, and I’m guessing just 9 of the others.”
Grassel planned to run as the sole Republican for one of three at-Large council seats against incumbents OU graduate student Elahu Gosney and Chris Knisely, newcomers Cycle Path Bicycle Shop owner Maxine Rantane, OU psychology professor Steve Patterson and two other OU undergraduates, Nate Hall and Ibriham Alassaf.
In order to be placed on the ballot, Grassel needed to submit 50 signatures of residents registered to vote in Athens.
“I still want to run,” Grassel said, adding that he is considering running as an independent.
To be included on the ballot as a non-partisan candidate, Grassel would have to submit 50 valid signatures by Aug. 5, 90 days before election day.
All other candidates running for office in this May’s primary and November’s general election secured enough valid signatures.
