Aspen/Phenix Supervisor Haywood Hamlet, 73, turned himself into Virginia State Police (VSP) on Tuesday and was arrested on one felony count of making a false statement in connection with an election form. According to VSP Public Relations Director Corinne Geller, the charge stems from an investigation into an allegation against Hamlet concerning a potential violation of procedure in securing signatures on an election form. She said the investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Hamlet gave no comment regarding his arrest or the upcoming election Tuesday, noting he had been advised by his attorney not to answer any questions to anyone.

Previously, Hamlet said that he would run as a write-in candidate for the Aspen/Phenix district after failing to get enough signatures to appear on the ballot.

He was one of only two candidates vying for the Aspen/Phenix district supervisor seat, which as of now are set to appear as write-in candidates in the Nov. 7 general election.

Charlotte County Registrar Nan Lambert previously said write-in candidates are not required to file any paperwork unless they are elected to the seat.

Hamlet decided to run again for the seat as a write-in candidate after failing to get enough signatures to appear on the ballot.

In a previous interview, Hamlet said this was the first time he’d had this happen.

“I don’t understand why someone would sign a petition when they’re not registered to vote and that’s what happened to me,” Hamlet said.

Hamlet said he had turned in enough names to meet the requirement, but after the state board of elections vetted the names, he no longer met the 125-signature requirement.

Fore said she turned in 219 signatures, enough to appear on the ballot, however, the application period was closing out and the rules would not allow the registrar to process the application.

Fore said this election will be different because the voters will have to write in the name of their chosen candidate on the ballot.

According to the Virginia Department of Elections, “candidates for office must meet certain qualifications and are required to file specific documents in order to qualify to appear on the ballot. These qualifications and requirements may vary slightly depending on whether the office sought is a local office, a general assembly seat, a statewide office, or a federal office.”

The department of elections said the general minimum requirements for all candidates include being qualified to vote and hold the office being sought and having been a resident of Virginia for one year before seeking office.

Hamlet was first elected to the board of supervisors in 1990. Board of Supervisor candidates who will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot include incumbents R.L. “Butch” Shook, Jr., Keysville; incumbent Warren E. Weston, Wylliesburg/Red Oak and Kay Pierantoni, Wylliesburg/Red Oak.