Poor treatment of appointed observer

To the Putnam County Board of Elections

On Election Day evening an incident occurred at the election board office that should have never happened.

One board member, Ann Dillinger, went way beyond her authority as a board member in ordering a Republican observer to vacate a room that she had every right to be in. She ordered her out twice and then went out and got Marie Heitmeyer, chairperson of the board, to back her up in their illegal activity. Mrs. Heitmeyer then proceeded to order her to leave. This all happened in front of many witnesses.

According to the Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2008-29 only a director or deputy director has the authority to apply limitations on poll observers at election board offices and they must have good reason.

Also under the directive, it states, that an observer has the right to move freely about the office to observe all aspects of the counting and ballot process, nothing can be screened from their view.

I feel this activity was an embarrassment to the Board of Elections and each respective party, Democrats and Republicans.

I feel there should be a public apology forthcoming and a letter of reprimand to Marie and Ann for actions unbecoming a board member.

Lyle R. McKanna

Columbus Grove

Board member

P.S. A small group of people gathered at the end of the evening and laughed and scoffed at how they ran the observer out of the building.