HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — A long-time incumbent intends on filing as a write-in candidate after the Lawrence County Board of Elections disallowed his petition for re-election as Hamilton Township trustee.

Vic Hopper, Sr. said Tuesday he plans on filing as a write-in for the position he currently holds. Hopper said he still wants to represent the citizens of Hamilton Township regardless of the board’s decision.

“I will run as a write-in and I will win,” said Hopper.

Hopper was one of eight candidates countywide whose petitions were disallowed Aug. 21 by the Lawrence County Board of Elections for a myriad of reasons.

In Hopper’s case, he had submitted petition forms that contained his signature photocopied onto it, which is a violation of state election rules.

Election law mandates that a candidate’s signature on the petition he or she circulates be original and can not be mass-produced or photocopied.

For that reason, many candidates sign off on their completed petition forms in blue ink to avoid any confusion.

The BOE voted unanimously to disallow Hopper’s petition when brought before them to certify.

There is no formal process for Hopper to protest the decision, representatives with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office told county election officials on Tuesday.

Board of Elections Director Cathy Overbeck said that while Hopper is unable to protest his disallowed petition, the board would invite Hopper to their next meeting to address his concerns and objection.

The Lawrence County Board of Elections next meets on Monday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m.

In order to run as a write-in, potential candidates would have to complete and file the necessary paperwork along with a $30 filing fee with the board of elections by Sept. 2.

Write-in candidates are not required to solicit or submit signature petitions.