Twinsburgbulletin.com - Top Republican to lose Elections Board seat after nearly 30 years

by Eric Marotta

News Leader Editor

Akron -- Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Feb 20 found Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff "not fit" to retain his seat on the county Board of Elections.

Arshinkoff, who was first appointed to the four-member Board of Elections in December 1978, called Brunner's allegations "unsubstantiated" and on Feb. 21 asked her to reconsider her decision.

"Sadly, you have based your entire conclusion on hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations perpetrated by my political opponents," Arshinkoff wrote in a letter to Brunner. "You have refused to reappoint me without affording me even the courtesy of any opportunity to respond to these allegations."

Brunner declined to reconsider her decision, stating Feb. 22 that state law only requires her to find "reason to believe" a board member is not competent to serve. She said the law does not require her to offer a hearing and does not set a standard of proof.

"The file before me concerning your performance over the past 29 years and three months provides ample support for my conclusion there is reason to believe that you are not competent to serve on the Board for the next four years," Brunner wrote in response.

Under state law, the secretary of state appoints members of each county's boards of elections. County Democratic and Republican parties nominate two members each to serve four-year terms.

As they have since 1978, the county Republican Party nominated Arshinkoff, whose next term would have begun March 1.

In announcing her decision, Brunner cited "substantial written evidence" including statements from current and former Elections Board employees. Brunner said the employees allege Arshinkoff created "a hostile work environment."

"This is entirely untrue," Arshinkoff responded, adding the allegations were "entirely politically motivated."

Brunner also said the evidence shows Arshinkoff is allegedly responsible for an "excessive" partisan atmosphere where "Republican Board employees have been intimidated from even talking to fellow Board employees who are Democrats."

Arshinkoff responded that Board employees must work together on the job, but have been told they should not "fraternize" with Democratic employees when not at work.

"When staff become personally connected with their political counterparts, such conduct diminishes their objectivity and willingness to expose and report improprieties that may occur at the Board of Elections," Arshinkoff wrote.

Brunner also cited affidavits by three Summit County Common Pleas Court judges who claim Arshinkoff, as Republican Party chairman, attempted to interfere with their official court duties.

"These affidavits lend strong evidence that you have engaged in conduct that jeopardizes the faith the public has in the fair conduct of elections, impugning your competence to continue as a member of the Summit County Board of Elections," Brunner stated.

"These affidavits were born of a politically motivated lawsuit against me that was ultimately dismissed," Arshinkoff replied. "As officers of the court, the judges should have filed a police complaint if they truly believed in the merits of their claims."

Arshinkoff also accused Brunner, a Democrat, of ignoring alleged misbehavior by Democratic Board members.

Brunner has this year approved 176 nominees to boards of elections statewide, rejected three nominees (including Arshinkoff) and is still considering the reappointment of two nominees, according to Jeff Ortega, spokesperson for the secretary of state's office.

Ortega said the county Republican Party has until Feb. 29 to submit a new nominee for approval. If no nominee is submitted, Brunner will make an appointment.

Ortega said the Summit County Republican Party's only other option is to appeal Brunner's decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.

E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com

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