The Vote Center Plan for Starke County was recently accepted by the Indiana Election Division.
Continue readingStarke County Vote Center Plan Approved by Indiana Election Division
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 Member Questions Board’s Authority to Cut Its Own Pay
The Starke County Election Board’s authority to withhold its own pay is being questioned by one of its members. On Monday, the board voted two-to-one not to pay its members for 2020, if the board failed to approve a vote center plan to keep this year’s elections on-budget. Board Member Harrison Fields cast the opposing vote.
Continue readingNorth Judson Town Council Discusses Potential Change to Election Cycle
A bill for almost $11,000 has prompted the North Judson Town Council to consider changing the town’s election cycle. The bill for last November’s town election was eventually forgiven by the Starke County Council, but during Monday’s town council meeting, Council Member Josh Brown said the county might not be willing to do that in the future.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Fails to Approve Vote Center Plan
Vote centers will not be coming to Starke County in the near future. The vote center plan failed to get the required unanimous vote during the election board’s fourth attempt Wednesday.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Makes Members’ Pay Contingent on Switch to Vote Centers
The Starke County Election Board will make a fourth attempt at approving a vote center plan. It once again failed to get the required unanimous vote during a special meeting Monday. Board Member Harrison Fields again cast the opposing vote.
Continue readingPulaski County Election Board Members Voicing Support for Starke County Vote Center Plan
As the Starke County Election Board prepares to take another vote on a switch to vote centers, Pulaski County Election Board members plan to weigh in. The Starke County Election Board is expected to vote on its vote center plan next Wednesday, after it failed to get a unanimous vote during last week’s meeting.
Continue readingPublic Input Mostly Positive for Starke County’s Proposed Switch to Vote Centers
The Starke County Election Board is expected to vote on a switch to vote centers next week. So far, residents seem to be in favor of the change, according to Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Moves Meeting Back to Tomorrow Morning, Following Debate
The Starke County Election Board continues debating the issue of meeting scheduling. Last week, Board Member Harrison Fields questioned President Marcia Bedrock after the board’s next meeting was moved from November 27 at 9:30 a.m. to November 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Continue readingRaises Proposed for Starke County Poll Workers But Meal Concerns Remain
Starke County poll workers may be getting a bigger raise than previously proposed, but not all election board members are on board with the proposed changes. Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel presented the rest of the board with some options, when it comes to poll worker pay.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Voices Concerns with Proposed Vote Center Plan
Just days before a draft of Starke County’s vote center plan is set to be presented to the public, an election board member raised a few questions about the proposed change. Last month, board members approved a list of seven potential vote center locations, which was then approved by the county commissioners last week.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board to Continue Working on Vote Center Proposal Today
The Starke County Election Board will put the finishing touches on its draft vote center plan today, before presenting it to the public next week. So far, the election board and county commissioners have settled on a list of seven vote center locations.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Prepares Timeline for Possible Vote Center Switch
A timeline for a possible switch to vote centers was recently reviewed by the Starke County Election Board. County officials are considering making the switch in time for the May 5, 2020 primary.
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 readingStarke County Election Board Reviews Vote Center Survey Results
The Starke County Election Board continues to see support for a proposed switch to vote centers. Last week, board members reviewed the results of a survey taken during this month’s town hall meetings in Knox and North Judson. Of the 27 surveys completed, only two respondents felt the change would not be a positive move for Starke County to pursue. Multiple residents specifically liked the convenience that vote centers could provide.
Continue readingStarke Election Board Member Says Poll Workers Threatening to Quit over Lack of Meals
Meal changes could lead to a shortage in poll workers, warns Starke County Election Board Member Harrison Fields. “I’ve been talking to some of these poll workers,” he told the rest of the election board Wednesday. “We’re going to be faced with a major problem come next spring because every one of these poll workers that worked in the past told me personally they refuse to work because the council changed the meal situation. None of these poll workers that worked in the past – not one – told me they will work in the spring because of that issue.”
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Approves List of Potential Vote Center Locations
The Starke County Election Board on Wednesday approved a list of potential vote center locations for the county commissioners’ consideration.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board to Continue Discussing Vote Centers
The Starke County Election Board will continue preparing for a possible switch to vote centers this morning. A list of seven proposed vote center locations presented earlier this month will likely be up for the board’s approval. Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel is also expected to present a draft version of the vote center plan.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Member Criticizes Meeting Scheduling, Communication Efforts
How the Starke County Election Board should schedule meetings and how board members should communicate with each other drew some disagreement during Wednesday’s meeting.
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