Clerk’s Office Says Chances “Very Low” Unrecognized Resident Cast Ballot in North Judson Town Election

Published: July 10, 2015

By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

Officials with the Starke County Clerk’s office says they have methods in place to ensure residents cast election ballots in the proper place.

The comments follow the realization that the Town of North Judson did not properly file an annexation ordinance from 2001, and an ordinance outlining election Wards from 2012, with the Starke County Clerk’s office. Because the ordinances were not properly filed, the Starke County Clerk’s office is unable to recognize them until they’re recertified.

Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley has previously commented on the possible implications, saying she does not know at this time if its possible individuals residing in the annexed sections of North Judson could have cast a ballot in a Town election, incorrectly.

Poll books are used to cross check an individual’s residency prior to casting a ballot in Starke County. Officials with the Clerk’s office, however, say that if it was possible for an individual residing in the annexed portion of North Judson to vote in a Town election, the chances are considered “very low” that it happened.

WKVI has requested information for elections held in North Judson between 2001: when the annexation ordinance was approved, and the Municipal Primary in 2015 – which was the last election prior to realizing the error. That process may take several days to complete, according to the Clerk’s office.

Cooley says she plans to address the matter with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Election Division in the near future.