Sunday, February 9, 2025

Claremont attorney says write-in candidate not a city resident

Write-in mayoral candidate Casey Striver does not meet the requirements of residency, Claremont City Attorney Mark Rahrick told council members at a special meeting on Tuesday night. Following Rahrick’s recommendation, council members voted to withhold the certifying of the election of Striver as the city’s mayor.

In a memorandum to the council, which he explained during the meeting, Rahrick said that Striver’s name was not on the ballot and therefore he had not filed an affidavit of candidacy. Rahrick said he had talked with both Striver and William French who represents Striver.

Rahrick said that as a result of his investigation into whether Striver met the residency requirements established by the state and had the intention to become a permanent resident of Claremont it was his opinion he is not a resident and therefore unable to be certified as the winner of the election.

Rahrick said he concluded there is no credible evidence that Striver’s home is located in Claremont and there is no credible evidence that he has established a permanent residence in Claremont. It appears, Rahrick said, that he moved into a Claremont resident’s home to claim residency for the election and moved out shortly after the election. An affidavit of candidacy that Striver signed on December 13, Rahrick said, does not appear to be accurate.

Striver ran a last-minute write-in campaign to become mayor, claiming he moved to the city recently in order to meet residency requirements.

Since Striver was a write-in candidate, he wasn’t required to file an affidavit attesting to his residency and other prudent information in advance of the election.

On Nov. 14 the city council approved directing City Attorney Mark Rahrick to verify the information Striver would have normally been required to fill out if he had been on the ballot.

Claremont Mayor Tasha Dahl abstained from any discussion or voting on the motion regarding Striver’s residency.

Following the meeting, Rahrick declined to comment on what steps the city needs to take to determine the selection of a mayor.

 

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