Unopposed Candidates to Remain off November Ballots in Starke, Pulaski Counties

There are some counties in the state that are considering putting all candidates on the November Municipal Election ballot, although state law only allows contested races on the ballot.

Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski and Pulaski County Clerk Tasha Foerg told WKVI that only contested races will appear on the Municipal election ballots. Skronski indicated that legislators may reverse this decision for future Municipal elections with the confusion it may cause voters. The Starke County Election Board voted to follow the state statute to only allow contested races. The Pulaski County Clerk said she is also following state statute.

The only race that will appear on the ballot for the City of Knox is the City Council District 1 race. In North Judson, the Town Clerk-Treasurer and the Town Board Ward 1 seat races will appear and in Hamlet, the Town Clerk-Treasurer and the Town Board Ward 2 seat will appear on the ballot.

In Winamac, it will be the Town Clerk-Treasurer’s seat that is contested. In Francesville, the Clerk-Treasurer and candidates vying for three seats on the Francesville Town Council will appear on the ballot, along with a contested race for three seats on the Medaryville Town Council.