Three candidates who filed to run for unexpired terms on Lynchburg village council found out this week that they can’t because the offices were not supposed to be on the ballot.

Highland County Election Board officials took the blame for the mistake, saying Tuesday that they thought the unexpired village council terms were supposed to be handled just as similar situations would be handled for mayoral offices.

But the election officials discovered that according to the Ohio Revised Code, unexpired village council seats should not appear on the ballot. Plus, candidates who had filed for the seat learned that their $30 filing fees cannot be returned.

According to ORC 3513.10 (F) (1), “In no case shall a fee paid under this section be returned to a candidate.”

“We feel sick about it,” said Debbie Craycraft, election board director.

Lynchburg residents Judy Davis, Chris Green and Tagg Pendleton, who had filed for the unexpired terms, were told about the snafu on Tuesday, and took the news well, said officials.

The filing deadline for nonpartisan offices in the November election was Aug. 5. Incumbent Marty Bailey, along with James Burton, Terry Moore, Kevin Radcliffe and Kevin Whitenack are running for two full-term seats on Lynchburg council.