Lake County Elections Board: New candidate may replace Pizmoht

Marah Morrison, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Oct. 18—In light of Willoughby Hills mayoral candidate Laura Pizmoht's death, the Lake County Elections Board has recently stated that potentially, a replacement can be placed on the ballot.

Pizmoht, who had stage four cancer, was vying for mayor in the November general election alongside Chris Hallum. On Oct. 13, the board was informed of her death.

According to the board, a committee to select a replacement nominee was listed on Pizmoht's nominating petition at the time of filing. The board plans to send a notification and an absentee request for a second issue ballot to any voter who has already received an absentee ballot in Willoughby Hills if a replacement nominee is selected.

Any vote for Pizmoht will not be counted in this election.

"It's pretty fresh and in the early stages," Elections Board Director Dante J. Lewis previously reported to The News-Herald. "We're turning to legal counsel and any advice on how to administer this type of scenario on the administrative side.

"One thing I can assure is that we're going to take every step necessary to make sure that mayor's races are fairly run."

Since being notified of her death, the Elections Board has consulted a legal representation with the Lake County Prosecutor's Office and has reached out to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office for guidance.

Pizmoht was a lifelong resident of Lake County who resided in Willoughby Hills since 2006. According to her obituary, she devoted herself throughout her life to improving her community through social engagement and civic action.

Pizmoht graduated from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and Cleveland State University, and went on to earn a juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, as well as a master of laws from New York University School of Law.

In 2017, Pizmoht was appointed to the Willoughby Hills City Council. She later became the law director for several local communities and in 2021, she was appointed assistant prosecutor in Ashtabula County.

"My vision for the future of Willoughby Hills is lower taxes and smart economic development, particularly in the west side," Pizmoht stated in a News-Herald candidate questionnaire that was sent to her earlier this year.

There are currently 7,108 registered voters in Willoughby Hills eligible to cast ballots.