Ohio Supreme Court declines to stop Warren County referendum

The Ohio Supreme Court has declined to prevent a referendum from appearing on May 7 election ballots in a Warren County township.

In a decision released this morning, the state’s court denied motions filed by lawyers for John and Sherry Federle.

The Federles want to divide 40.7 acres at 5615 Lytle Road in Wayne Twp., Warren County, into 39 lots, despite opposition from residents who petitioned to get the referendum on the ballot.

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The Federles turned to the Ohio Supreme Court after the Warren County Board of Elections rejected their appeal of its decision to hold the referendum, approved by Wayne Twp. Board of Trustees following the petition drive.

“Under the circumstances of this case, the Federles have not shown by clear and convincing evidence that the board of elections abused its discretion or clearly disregarded applicable law,” the court said in its opinion.

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