State ex rel. Andrea Nicole Thompson-Hashman v. City of Nelsonville, et al.

What this filing is

Andrea Nicole Thompson-Hashman filed a verified original action in the Fourth District Court of Appeals seeking mandamus and, alternatively, a peremptory writ. The petition is dated August 26, 2026 and bears a court filing stamp of August 27, 2026.

The filing names the City of Nelsonville, members of City Council, City Manager Dannette Miller, and Police Chief Devon Tolliver as respondents. It arises from the continuing dispute over Nelsonville’s form of government and the office of City Auditor.

What Thompson-Hashman argues

The petition alleges that Thompson-Hashman was elected City Auditor in November 2025, holds a certificate of election, and has a superior present claim to occupy the auditor’s office. It relies heavily on State ex rel. Keyser v. Babst and argues that a certificate of election gives her a prima facie claim to possession of the office while the ultimate de jure title is determined.

The petition also alleges that Brian Elkins was appointed City Auditor on April 13, 2026 and does not possess a certificate of election to that office. Those statements are allegations and legal arguments made by the relator; they are not findings by the Fourth District in this filing.

Relief requested

Paragraph 26 asks the court to order respondents to revoke or otherwise terminate the appointment of Brian Elkins, or whoever may be serving as City Auditor when a writ issues, and to permit Thompson-Hashman to assume the office until a final determination of the de jure title is made through a valid legal proceeding.

The petition separately asks for mandamus or peremptory relief. The filing itself does not establish that Thompson-Hashman is legally entitled to the office, that Elkins lacks lawful authority, or that the requested writ will issue.

How this differs from Case No. 26CA3

The earlier quo warranto action challenged the right of the charter officeholders to continue holding office. This petition presents a narrower theory focused on Thompson-Hashman’s claimed individual right to occupy the auditor’s office based on her election certificate.

The archive treats the August petition as a separate case and does not treat arguments from either action as judicial findings unless a court order expressly adopts them.

Primary record

Archive note: the petition is dated August 26, 2026; the copy reviewed by this archive is stamped filed August 27, 2026. The archive will add later orders or responses when those records are collected.