Longtime Mayfield Hts. Councilman Ballistrea says ‘clerical error’ in gathering signatures prevented a run for re

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Longtime Councilman Michael Ballistrea said he had every intention of seeking a third consective term this fall, but that a “clerical error” involving the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections prevented him from doing so.

Ballistrea said that his difficulty in filing enough valid signatures with the Board of Elections stemmed from his initial intention to run this year for mayor.

In order to qualify for the May primary mayoral election, candidates had to have filed with the Board of Elections in early February, which meant collecting signatures from Mayfield Heights residents in what was a very cold January.

Ballistrea, however, said he was ill with a virus in January and could not get out to gather those needed 190 valid signatures.

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