Election board considers removing 3 from ballot

The Hamilton County Election Board will meet Thursday to consider removing the names of three municipal candidates from this year’s Republican primary ballot. The election board with members Kathy Richardson, Raymond Adler and Greg Purvis have authority to establish the May 7 ballot with only qualified members of the political party.

County Republican Chairwoman Laura Campbell has challenged the three candidates, according to elections office spokesmen. The three are: Noblesville City Council candidates John B. Partlow in District 6, and Brian Landress who filed for council-at-large. Also challenged is Kevin E. Ferguson in Arcadia, District 2.

The three have been notified of the challenges, and may attend the 10 a.m. Thursday meeting to show evidence of their GOP affiliation. None has voted in a Republican primary where a voter declares his intention to support candidates of the party. And, apparently none of the three has contacted party officials who can certify a candidate’s connection to the party and still be placed on the ballot, if convincing evidence is offered.

The Thursday meeting to be held in the County Clerk’s conference room is a public meeting.