As of 9 a.m. April 3, Geauga County Auditor Frank Gliha resigned from office.
Gliha also has withdrawn his name as a GOP candidate for the May 8 primary. While it is too late for his name to be removed from the ballot, any votes cast for Gliha will not be counted, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 3513.30(E).
Russell Township Fiscal Officer Charles “Chuck” Walder, who filed to challenge Gliha in the Republican primary for county auditor, was sworn in as interim county auditor at the April 3 Geauga County Commissioners meeting.
The county commissioners made the interim appointment until the Geauga County Republican Party Central Committee has a special meeting to make its appointment to replace Gliha.
Candidates who are interested in the temporary appointment made by the GOP Central Committee should send a letter of intent as well as a resume with his or her experience and qualifications by Tuesday, April 10 to Geauga County GOP, P.O. Box 536, Chardon, OH 44024.
Pursuant to Ohio law, the central committee is required to meet within five to 45 days after the seat is vacant.
“We have scheduled a special public meeting for Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. in the small gymnasium at the Metzenbaum Center in Chesterland,” GOP Chairman Nancy McArthur said. “Interested candidates will be given an opportunity to speak before an oral vote is taken.”
The process by which an elected county office holder is replaced is set forth in the Ohio Revised Code, http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/305.
Walder will run unopposed in the May primary, but a Democrat opponent will challenge him in the November general election.
After the Geauga County Board of Elections certifies the November election results, the winning candidate will be sworn into office.
