Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — The Butler County Board of Elections voted unanimously Thursday, Aug. 28, to join a lawsuit with the Ohio secretary of state's office against the company that sold it $6 million worth of voting machines.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner counter sued Premier Election Solutions, a Diebold subsidiary, earlier this month after the company sued the state seeking a judgment that it had delivered on its contract to provide voting machines to 44 Ohio counties.

The counter suit Butler County joined is for breach of contract after 11 counties reported problems with machines not counting votes in the March primary.

Butler County Board of Elections Director Betty McGary said her board opted to join the suit on advice of the Butler County Prosecutor's Office to show solidarity with the state. She said the suit will likely be filed next week.

Also Thursday, Jack Zettler resigned from the county board of elections as required under Ohio law because he is running for county auditor.

Because Zettler is a Democrat, his party will meet next week to recommend to Brunner a replacement on the board. McGary said board of elections members are traditionally the executive and central committee chairs, meaning Matt Von Stein will likely get the nod after being recently named executive committee chairman.

Board of elections members make roughly $16,000 a year, McGary said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 jsweigart@coxohio.com.