Trending
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Elections voted unanimously Tuesday to deny a request for a hearing regarding the address of Tiffany Stanford, who was recently elected to serve as Warren's 5th Ward councilwoman.
The request for a hearing was submitted formally by Ashley Miner-McBride, who now holds that council seat.
The board determined the request by Miner-McBride did not fall within its scope of responsibilities.
"We went to our prosecutor for a legal opinion and the consensus was that this was not really a challenge to voter registration but it appears to be a challenge to the relevant qualifications to take office," board President Mark Alberini said. "Our board does not have statutory authority to resolve that type of complaint."
Stanford earned the nomination for the 5th Ward council position during the primary election in May, winning 51% of the vote compared to Miner-McBride's 49%.
Stanford ran uncontested for the council seat during the Nov. 7 election. She is set to serve on council when her term begins in January.
Miner-McBride is arguing that Stanford cannot take over the council seat as McBride claims the newly elected councilwoman does not live in the 5th Ward or even in the city.
On her Tribune Chronicle preelection candidate questionnaire, Stanford listed her address as 1561 Francis Ave., Warren.
According to the Trumbull County Auditor's website, Stanford, along with her husband, Jeffery, purchased a house at 1186 Lynn Drive in Bazetta. The sale occurred Oct. 13, 2023, according to the auditor's website.
Stanford said she was "blindsided" by Miner-McBride's challenge. She claims that she still lives in the house on Francis Avenue in the 5th Ward and plans to continue living in the ward.
"I live in the ward, I intend to stay in the ward, I really don't know what to say," Stanford said.
Stanford confirmed that she and her husband did purchase the house on Lynn Drive but reiterated that it is not her living address.
She said her husband will be living in the Bazetta house, but they are considering what to do with the property. She said they have considered using the home as an Airbnb rental.
Stanford said regardless, she will be living in Warren's 5th Ward.
The board of elections suggested Miner-McBride take her complaint to Warren's law department.
"That is something that would be relegated to the law director of the city of Warren to gather the facts, investigate and make a determination on whether or not Tiffany Stanford is qualified to take the oath of office for that position," Alberini said.
Miner-McBride said she plans to continue to contest Stanford's ability to serve on city council.
"This is the first step of many," Miner-McBride said. "I will be submitting the proper documentation to the law department to move forward."