Hamilton County primary ballots just got more expensive

At the Feb. 10 Hamilton County Election Board meeting, a written request filed by Democratic Election Board Member Greg Purvis has forced the county to change the 2022 Primary Election ballots.

Purvis filed a written request to list, without exception, all candidates of the Democratic Party who have no opponent in the primary. This will include candidates for Democratic Precinct Committeeman and State Convention Delegates in 2022.

Purvis made the request following instructions from Dayna Colbert, the Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair. The request was filed pursuant to Indiana Code 3-10-1-5.

That statute reads, in relevant part, “The names of unopposed candidates for election as a precinct committeeman or a delegate to a political party’s state convention are not required to be placed on the primary election ballot unless an appointed member of the county election board affiliated with the political party files a written request that these names be printed on the primary election ballot.”

According to comments made at the meeting, Democrats are trying to avoid the situation where people think there is no Democratic candidate because the Democratic candidate is unopposed in the Primary.

Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams will now need to modify the ballots. There was also discussion on whether the extra cost will add benefit to the election process.

The Reporter continues daily publication of all candidates from both parties who have filed for the 2022 primary. You can find that in today’s edition on Page X. That list can be found in our pages every Wednesday through Sunday. Candidates from either party who wish to have more exposure for their campaign are encouraged to email News@ReadTheReporter.com to discuss press releases or Ads@ReadTheReporter.com to discuss affordable advertising options.

In other Election Board news:

  • The board will meet at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17 in the Hamilton County Election Board Meeting Room in the Clerk’s Office to hear a complaint against Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. It is alleged that Mr. Brainard failed to properly fill out his Campaign Finance Report.
  • The Board was notified that Tiffany Ditlevson has withdrawn as a candidate for Fall Creek Township Advisory Board.

All voters who have recently changed residential addresses are encouraged to notify the Elections Office in the Courthouse of their new address.