The former head of the Columbus NAACP wants a Franklin County judge to stop the agency from holding an election to install a new president.
Nana Watson was president of the branch for a decade before the national organization removed her in January. The organization also suspended her membership.
Joel King, vice president of the Columbus NAACP, has been serving as the branch's acting president.
The Columbus branch plans to hold an election online Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Columbus attorney Sean Walton is the only candidate running for president.
Watson asked a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas judge on Tuesday to stop the election with a temporary restraining order, while she appeals her removal with the national organization. Court records show the judge hasn't issued an injunction or restraining order, as of Tuesday afternoon.
Watson's lawsuit states the "allegations" against her are "unsubstantiated." Watson states the Columbus branch shouldn't have an election for president until her appeal of the decision to suspend and remove her has been decided by the NAACP's national office. Watson expects the decision by May 25.
Watson states in her suit that she was running for re-election in November when the national office "abruptly disrupted" the election and "postponed (it) indefinitely," without "a clear explanation."
Watson's suit provides copies of letters she states the national branch sent her. The letters state she was removed because of the way her office handled membership dues, and because of how she handled an effort to organize an Athens County branch. The letters also state she "refused" to work with the NAACP's Ohio conference and attend their meetings, and "made false statements" about communications with the national office.
Watson said she disputes the organization's claims in the suit.
Her suit states she should be a candidate in the April 2 election for president of the Columbus branch, since she ran in the last election.
