HOLLIDAYSBURG — Two objections to election petitions were dismissed in Blair County court on Thursday morning, allowing both candidates to remain on primary ballots.

The first objection was made by Michael Haire regarding the candidacy of Devin Saylor, who is seeking election to the Altoona City Council. Haire, who is running for council on the Republican ticket, wrote in his objection that Saylor, who is running on the Democratic ticket, “failed to file required Pennsylvania Statement of Financial Interest with the Altoona City Clerk’s office.”

“This action is required by law and is clearly stated on the candidate’s information packet given to all candidates when they received petitions from the Blair County Elections office,” Haire wrote. “This omission would invalidate Devin Saylor’s candidacy for office. Thus I am asking for him to be removed from election.”

Senior Judge Thomas King Kistler ruled that Haire didn’t have standing to object to Saylor’s election petition. To have standing in an objection, Kistler said the objector would need to be injured, harmed or impacted by Saylor appearing on the ballot. As Haire won’t appear on the Democratic primary ballot alongside Saylor, Haire wouldn’t be impacted by Saylor’s candidacy.

Kistler’s conclusion permits Saylor to remain on the ballot.

According to Altoona City Clerk Linda Rickens Schellhammer, the Altoona City Clerk’s Office has Saylor’s required statement of financial interest, although Saylor “did turn it in late.” She said those seeking office usually turn in their statements to the city on the same day as they turn in their election petitions to the Voter Registration Office.

The second objection was made by Benjamin Dayton Hornberger against current Blair Township Supervisor Louis J. Lusk, who is seeking reelection.

During the hearing, Hornberger told Kistler he filed the objection on behalf of Blair Township auditor Jacob Wible. Hornberger said he did this because Wible “worked full time” and might not be able to attend any necessary court hearings regarding the matter.

Hornberger outlined three reasons for his objection, writing that Lusk’s “paperwork was filled out incorrectly” and was missing the date of the election. He also said the “Term of Office” line “states it is for a four-year term” while the term would actually be six years, and that the first signature on Lusk’s petition has an incomplete address.

“To conclude, because of the following defects, these voters signed a petition under false pretenses,” Hornberger wrote. “The notary also notarized the petition under false information.”

Kistler asked Hornberger if he was a registered voter in Blair Township, to which Hornberger replied that he was registered to vote, but in Antis Township.

“To object to (Lusk’s) candidacy means you would be impacted by (Lusk) being a (Blair Township) supervisor,” Kistler said.

Kistler told Hornberger he couldn’t be a substitute petitioner for a Blair Township resident and therefore lacked standing to object to Lusk’s candidacy.

Kistler dismissed Hornberger’s objection with prejudice, saying the court would work with Wible’s work schedule if he were to refile under his own name.

According to Director of Elections Sarah Seymour, who was present at both hearings, the deadline to file objections to election petitions was March 19.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.