Monroe County Election Board forwards complaints against former clerk candidate Joe Davis to prosecutor

The Monroe County Election Board on June 4 voted unanimously to forward complaints against former clerk candidate Joe Davis to the county prosecutor after hearing testimony from election staff and two complainants.

County Attorney Molly Turner King summarized the allegations, which the complaint packet described as four potential violations: campaign signs that lacked required disclosures, electioneering inside the voting area, following voters after they voted, and potentially misleading claims about legal credentials.

Former election supervisor Karen Wheeler testified that she observed Davis frequently near the early-voting site, that his signs initially lacked the required disclaimer, and that she saw instances in which he followed or blocked voters in ways she described as intimidating. Election supervisor Kylie Ferris described multiple in-person conversations with Davis and a written notice that followed the early-voting Saturday about unacceptable conduct.

Complainant Carol McGary told the board she felt trapped when Davis approached her after she exited her car and said she filed a complaint upon entering the building. Joe Davis denied acting improperly, saying he spent early-voting sessions cleaning debris and maintaining the area and defended describing himself as a "practicing jurist at law," citing filings he said he had made.

Republican chair Danny Shields clarified the board’s role, saying it is not to determine guilt but to decide whether the complaints should be advanced for legal review. The board approved sending the complaints to the county prosecutor in two unanimous votes. The Election Board’s next meeting is scheduled for July 2.