The Starke County Election Board members will hold a public hearing today at 9 a.m. to hear appeals from three candidates who filed late campaign finance reports. The reports were due by noon in the Clerk’s Office on Friday, Oct. 19.
Those filing late reports were fined $50 for each day the report was late. County Council member Dave Pearman will appeal his $50 fine as he was only nine minutes late in filing his report. Coroner Dannie Hoffer, Jr. will appeal his $150 fine and Karl Swihart will appeal a $250 fine.
In a previous meeting, board members emphasized that the policy and fines are set by the state, and that local election boards and clerk’s offices are now mandated to follow the process.
Following the public hearing, the board members will go into their regular business meeting where they will review the General Election including written complaints as well as financial claims and any other business that may come before the board.
The Starke County Election Board will meet in the second floor meeting room in the Starke County Courthouse at 53 E. Washington Street in Knox.
