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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Starke County expects to have a total of 20 first-time poll workers this Election Day. During last week’s election board meeting, board member Peg Brettin said voters will notice some younger people working the polls, “Because many of the older people either, one, don’t want to do it anymore, or two, are deceased,” she explained. “So that’s one of the reasons why you’re going to see a lot of new people out there.”
Four Starke County candidates are facing fines for failing to turn in their campaign finance reports on time. County council member Dave Pearman, county council candidate Howard Bailey, Coroner Dannie Hoffer, and former county council candidate Karl Swihart all missed Friday’s noon deadline, according to Clerk Vicki Cooley.
Starke County Election Board members will finish preparations for next month’s General Election when they meet this morning. Members are scheduled to review plans for the upcoming poll worker training, as well as election procedures.
With just a few weeks to go before the General Election, a change has been made in the Oregon Township Board race. Joseph Reed has withdrawn his candidacy, according to Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley. Roy McCray was appointed last week by the Republican Party chair to take Reed’s place on next month’s ballot.
According to Starke County Election Deputy Clerk Crystal McCarty-Taylor, people can file for a declaration of candidacy starting today anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and they have until February 9th at noon to file.
Interested individuals must come into the Starke County Clerkâs Office to file. She added that no exceptions will be made if the February deadline is missed.
Officials up for election in Starke County include the County Sheriff, Assessor, Coroner, Recorder and Auditor as well as the Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk. Elections will also be held for the County Commissioners in District 2 which includes California, Center and Davis Townships. Continue reading
