Starke County Election Board Working to Collect Fine from Former Coroner

Collecting unpaid fines for late campaign finance reports is proving to be a challenge for the Starke County Election Board. During last week’s meeting, it was learned that former Coroner Dannie Hoffer Jr. still hadn’t paid his $150 fine. Election officials said the matter was sent to small claims court, but Hoffer apparently refused to sign for the documents when he was notified by certified mail.

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Proposed Senate Bill May Force Replacement of Starke County’s Voting Machines

Plans to upgrade Starke County’s voting machines may be put on hold, pending the outcome of a bill in the Indiana Senate. Senate Bill 570 proposes a number of new requirements related to election cyber security. Notably, any electronic voting systems would have to have a “voter verifiable paper audit trail,”starting in 2022.

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ACLU Gives Poll Workers Tips for Interacting with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Voters

As Election Day approaches, the American Civil Liberties Union is taking steps to make sure transgender and gender non-conforming voters are treated with respect.

During Wednesday’s Starke County Election Board meeting, Clerk Vicki Cooley presented board members with a letter and a list of tips for poll workers that she received from the ACLU of Indiana’s LGBTQ Rights Project. Continue reading

Poll Worker’s Needlepoint Hobby Leads to Debate during Starke County Election Board Meeting

A poll worker’s needlepoint hobby led to a lengthy debate among Starke County Election Board members Wednesday. Board President Harrison Fields said he’s gotten complaints about a poll worker who’s apparently been doing needlepoint while waiting for potential voters, during in-person absentee voting hours. “I’ve had two phone calls on it, and me personally, I don’t like the looks of it, personally,” he said. “I don’t like the looks of it.”

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