Harrison Fields recently submitted his resignation as a member of the Starke County Election Board.
Continue readingHarrison Fields Resigns from Starke County Election Board
Starke County Election Board Forms Vote Center Study Committee
Efforts to bring vote centers to Starke County continue. A proposed vote center plan failed to get the required unanimous vote from the county election board on four separate occasions. But there’s still a chance a plan could be implemented in time for the May primary, according to Deputy Clerk Colleen Hodge.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Reviews Provisional Ballots from North Judson Election
Two provisional ballots from last week’s North Judson election were reviewed by the Starke County Election Board Thursday. But Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel told board members that neither could be accepted.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Reviews 2020 Budget
While Starke County hasn’t finalized a switch to vote centers yet, there isn’t enough money in the 2020 budget to hold a presidential election using precinct polling places.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Considers Vote Center Staffing
The number of poll workers for potential Starke County vote centers was a topic of concern during last week’s election board meeting. Board Member Harrison Fields noted that Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel’s preliminary proposal didn’t call for any sheriffs.
Continue readingNew Starke County Election Board Member Selected as Board President, After Stalemate
The Starke County Election Board was a bit slow getting to work Thursday, after members hit a stalemate over who would run the meeting. The first item of business was the board’s reorganization.
Continue readingPerception Concerns Prompt Staffing Adjustments during Starke County’s Early Voting Hours
The Starke County Clerk’s Office is working to address some perception issues, stemming from the fact that the county’s election clerk is also on next month’s ballot. Colleen Hodge is one of two Democrats running for Knox clerk-treasurer.
Continue readingStarke County Clerk Shares Concerns with Election Board
Starke County Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel is trying to establish some ground rules with the rest of the county election board. During a contentious meeting last week, Welter-Manuel read from a prepared statement outlining a list of concerns. “One, I will only be attending properly posted public election board meetings going forward,” she said. “With this being said, I won’t take any action on anything that comes out of any other said meetings. I will not be answering anymore to where my clerks are at any meetings or events. They are my employees, my sole decision to have them or not. The budget that I give to run my office does not need approval or a vote from this board.”
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Revises Early Voting Hours
The Starke County Election Board has issued a revision of its early voting hours ahead of next month’s municipal primary. In-person absentee voting will take place this afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00. Early voting continues next week, Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Continue readingSeveral Elected Officials Unopposed Heading into Final Week of Candidate Filing
With less than a week left for candidates to file to run in the May primary, many incumbents remain unopposed. As of Friday afternoon, the only local contested race was for Knox clerk-treasurer. Colleen Hodge and Cyndi Mann-Kidder are vying for the Democratic Party nomination, according to the Starke County Clerk’s Office. Incumbent Jeff Houston is not seeking another term.
Continue readingFirst Day of Filing Ends with Three Candidates for Knox Offices
Three Democrats filed to run for office in the City of Knox on the first day of filing Wednesday. Mayor Dennis Estok and District 3 City Council Member Jeff V. Berg both filed for reelection, according to the Starke County Clerk’s Office, while Colleen A. Hodge filed to run for clerk-treasurer. Incumbent Jeff Houston is not seeking another term.
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