LAWTON — Jacobi Crowley’s bid for the Ward 6 seat on the Lawton City Council ended abruptly last week.
The Comanche County Election Board ruled Aug. 9 that Crowley’s name should be stricken from the ballot because he did not meet residency requirements, Election Board Secretary Amy Sims told Southwest Ledger.
The board’s decision means that Councilman Robert Weger, who was appointed to represent Ward 6 after former Councilman Sean Fortenbaugh stepped down earlier this year, will be unopposed in the Sept. 12 municipal election. Consequently, Weger will start a three-year term on the council beginning in January.
The filing period for council candidates ran from July 31-Aug. 2.
Shortly after the filing period ended, Weger challenged Crowley’s candidacy on the grounds that his opponent had not met residency requirements. Under Lawton’s city charter, candidates for council seats must be registered to vote in their ward for at least six months before filing their declaration of candidacy.
After hearing the case, the election board ruled that Crowley should be disqualified, Weger said.
“The board admitted evidence and heard arguments in said cause,” Weger said in an email to a Southwest Ledger reporter. “After having heard all evidence and testimony offered and admitted, and after having heard the arguments of contestee and petitioner, the board’s final decision was to strike Mr. Crowley’s name from the ballot.”
Crowley did not respond to an email requesting comment.
Sims said Crowley objected to Weger’s petition on the grounds that it was not filled out completely. However, she said, District Attorney Kyle Cabelka told the election board that the petition was sufficient.