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Dunbar Twp. residents not happy with primary race

By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

DUNBAR TWP. – A number of township residents are not happy with the way the May 17 primary election turned out in the supervisor’s race but not for the reason you might think. Robin Leighty, the newly elected township auditor, said countywide mistakes have caused her and several other residents to ask Fayette County election officials to examine three township voting machines tomorrow.

“I signed a petition to have the election bureau see if the numbers in the race between Democratic supervisor candidates Larry Mayros and John Toby Tabaj are right or if fraud or an accounting error may have caused Mayros’ numbers to be higher than the votes that were actually cast,” said Leighty.

Unofficial numbers showed Mayros, a township employee at 550 votes and Tabaj, a farmer, at 534 votes. Mayros and Tabaj were two in a field of six Democratic candidates running for one supervisors seat presently held by retiring Supervisor Gene Frazier.

“The judge of elections is supposed to be responsible for the machines and responsible for the numbers that they pull off the machines,” said Leighty. “People who are not authorized to be there when the numbers were taken off should be asked to leave and that wasn’t done in District 3 the night of the primary election.”

Leighty said Tabaj was ahead in the count in District 3 when Mayros vote tally was read at 18 twice. However, the election results showed that Mayros received 81 votes.

Leighty said another problem on election night was in Dickerson Run where there are 160 registered voters. She said that in the tax collector’s race the tally showed that 400 votes were cast.

Leighty said she understands that mistakes are made because people are not infallible but she said in small townships where ever vote counts the judge of elections or the people who are elected to be in charge of making sure that everything runs smooth should need to make sure that mistakes are not made.

“These elections mean a lot to the people who are running for an office,” said Leighty. “We need people who are capable and competent to do the job.” Leighty was joined by township tax collector Marigrace Butela and Arthur J. Mohall in petitioning the court to recanvass. Attorney David N. Lint of Connellsville represents the group.

A representative of the election bureau verified Thursday that the recanvass is set for 11 a.m. Friday at the Fayette County Bridge Department building on Duck Hollow Road. Leighty said although she is unable to attend she is anxiously awaiting the results.

“I wish I could be there but my husband died in February and I am the breadwinner for my family,” said Leighty. “I am anxious to get the results though.”

Leighty said she just heard about a guy in Monessen who lost on primary night by nine votes and when they did the recanvassing he won by two votes. “This is happening all over the place but when you know there is a problem you need to address it.”

Leighty beat incumbent Lisa Seese in the auditor’s race.

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