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.”
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
Starke County Election Board Continues Discussing Secure Storage Options for Voting Machines
Steps are being taken to secure Starke County’s voting machines. Clerk Vicki Cooley told the rest of the election board Wednesday that plans are in the works to build a state-compliant secure storage room, within an existing storage area.
Four Starke County Candidates Miss Campaign Finance Report Deadline
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.
McCray Replaces Reed in Oregon Township Board Race, As Election Preparations Continue
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 Joseph Reed has withdrawn his candidacy, according to Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley.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.
Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for General Election
Those who’d like to vote in next month’s General Election but are not registered have one more week to get that done. The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, October 9. Residents have until the close of business that day to register at their county clerk’s office, or until midnight to register online at IndianaVoters.com. On that website, you can also check and see whether you’re already registered.
Starke, Pulaski Election Boards Finalize Plans for Next Week’s Primary
Final preparations are underway for next week’s primary elections. The Starke and Pulaski county election boards both have poll worker training sessions scheduled for this week.
Concerns About Poll Worker Meals Discussed by Starke County Election Board
The Starke County Election Board will soon be surveying poll workers about the quality and timing of the meals provided to them on Election Day. This comes after Starke County Democratic Party Chair Kenny Wallace raised concerns about poll worker meals during Wednesday’s election board meeting.
Starke, Pulaski Election Boards Plan Hearings, Fines for Late Campaign Finance Reports
Candidates in next month’s primary who were late in turning in their financial reports can expect hearings before the election board and possible fines.
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.”
Starke County Election Board Establishes Training Dates for Poll Workers
Starke County Election Board members are in election preparation mode. Clerk Vicki Cooley said they discussed the training dates for poll workers when they met Wednesday morning.
Cooley said the training days will be held on Tuesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 3rd from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Saturday, May 5th from 10 a.m. until noon. Continue reading
Starke County Election Board Discusses Upcoming Public Test for Voting Machines
Citizens interested in getting a little bit of “voting practice” in prior to the May Primary Election will be pleased to hear that a test voting day will be held next week.
The upcoming public test for voting machines was discussed during Wednesday morning’s Starke County Election Board meeting. Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley said the test is being held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3rd. Continue reading
Starke Election Board to Discuss Voting Machine Upgrades with County Council, Commissioners
The Starke County Election Board is ready to take its proposal for voting machine upgrades to the county council and commissioners. Vendor MicroVote wants to bring the county’s 46 machines up to the latest federal standards, in time for the 2020 presidential election. Board members decided Wednesday to discuss the upgrades with the county council and commissioners during their March 19 meetings.
Starke County Election Board Sets Early Voting Hours Ahead of May Primary
The Starke County Election Board has finalized early voting hours, ahead of the May primary. The in-person absentee voting period runs from April 10 to May 7. During that time, Starke County voters will be able to cast their ballots on the first floor of the County Courthouse in Knox weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Those hours will be extended to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27 and Friday, May 4.
Races Set for May Primary
The races are set for May’s primary elections. In Starke County, one hotly-contested office is county clerk. Current auditor Kay Chaffins is challenging incumbent Vicki Cooley for the Democratic party nomination. The winner would presumably face Republican Bernadette Welter-Manuel in November’s general election.
Starke County Election Board Finds Harris Ineligible for Railroad Township Board Race
A Railroad Township Trustee candidate is now out of the race, but another name has been added. John Harris is officially off the ballot following a pair of challenges against his campaign, according to Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley. She says the Starke County Election Board reviewed the challenges Friday and determined that Harris was not an eligible candidate for the May primary.
Starke Election Board to Review Challenges Against Railroad Township Trustee Candidate
The Railroad Township Trustee’s race is already generating some controversy. Tomorrow, the Starke County Election Board will consider two challenges against John Harris. He’s running against incumbent Mandy Thomason for the Republican Party nomination in the May primary.
Candidate Filings Continue as Deadline Approaches
The deadline is approaching for candidates to file to run in the May primary. Candidates have until Friday at noon to file their paperwork with the county clerk’s office.
Starke County Election Board Approves Resolution for Oregon-Davis Referendum
The Oregon-Davis school referendum is moving ahead. The Starke County Election Board passed a resolution Wednesday allowing the question to be placed on the ballot, according to County Clerk Vicki Cooley. Continue reading
Preparations Continue for Move of Oregon Township Precinct 2 Voting Site
The Starke County Election Board is finalizing the move of the Oregon Township Precinct 2 voting site. Starting this May, voting will take place at the Koontz Lake Association Clubhouse.
