The Pulaski County Election Board will hold two candidate complaint hearings this upcoming Monday, October 19th, concerning allegations of improper electioneering during early voting at the Pulaski County Courthouse.
The first complaint concerns Kathleen (Kathi) Thompson, an independent candidate for Pulaski County Commissioner District 3.
In a formal complaint, Thompson is alleged to have entered the courthouse on Wednesday, October 7th, wearing a campaign shirt displaying the words “Vote for Kathi.”
According to the complaint, Thompson asked whether she could wear the shirt inside the voting location and was told she could not. The complaint states that Thompson then went into a restroom, turned the shirt inside out, and proceeded to vote.
The complaint alleges that Thompson turned the shirt right side out after voting and visited other courthouse offices, where she discussed being told not to wear the campaign clothing.
It was requested that election officials investigate the incident and determine whether any election laws were violated.
The second complaint concerns Ashley Hammac, the Democratic candidate for State Representative District 16.
A request for an investigation was submitted on Monday, October 12th, concerning an incident reportedly occurring Friday, October 9th.
According to the request, campaign material associated with Hammac was reportedly brought into the courthouse voting area during active early voting hours.
It was requested that the Election Board investigate whether improper electioneering occurred and determine whether corrective action is necessary.
Both complaints concern Indiana’s electioneering restrictions, which prohibit certain campaign activities and materials within designated voting areas.
The allegations have not been established as violations, and the Election Board has scheduled hearings to consider the complaints.
The hearings will begin Monday, October 19th, at 9:30am Eastern Time on the main floor of the Pulaski County Courthouse, located at 112 East Main Street in Winamac. The public is invited to attend these hearings.
