Preparing for the May primary
Jenna Buehler Comet writer-intern

Those individuals who want to run for a place on their party's ballot in the May primary election are now able to file in the clerk's office for the 2008 election.

Both political parties will choose to fill the following positions:

• Two county commissioners' seats - currently held by Bill Brown and George Mears;

• Three county council-at-large seats - occupied by Carl Abbott, Steven Ashby and Robert Baker;

• Surveyor seat - filled by Wayne Chapman;

• Coroner seat - held by Jerry Reinke;

• Recorder seat - filled by Barbara Chapman;

• Clerk Carroll Circuit Court seat - occupied by Laura Sterrett; and

• Superior Court Judge position - filled by Jeffrey Smith.

Other positions include:

• State Representative district 24 - occupied by Rich McClain;

• State Senator district 7 - held by Brandt Hershman;

• U.S. Representative in congress, 2nd congressional district - occupied by Joe Donnelly;

• Governor - filled by Mitch Daniels;

• U.S. Senator - occupied by Evan Bayh; and

• President - occupied by George W. Bush.

School Boards

School board members in both local corporations will be elected in the May primary.

Carroll Consolidated School Corporation patrons will elect three board members. One for district 1, Burlington Township, occupied by Michael Eikenberry and one for district 3, Democrat Township, occupied by Barbara Payne; and one for district 4, Monroe Township, occupied by Sam L. Zook.

Three Delphi Community School Corporation board members will be chosen: The seat in district 4, Liberty Township - occupied by Michael Shoemaker; district 5, Madison Township - occupied by Robert Resler; and district 6, Rock Creek Township - occupied by Paul Brown.

Rossville Consolidated School Corporation will elect three board members, representing Owen and Ross townships in Clinton County and Clay Township in Carroll County. Candidates are elected by the entire school corporation.

District 1, Adams Township, and District 2, Jefferson Township, will elect representatives to the Twin Lakes School Corporation Board of Trustees. Candidates are voted by their district only.

Carroll County Election Board Secretary and county clerk Laura Sterrett explained her role in the upcoming election.

"There is a lot you have to do when getting the paperwork ready for candidates," she said. "We have to get packets ready for those candidates who may receive greater than $5,000 a year in that position to submit financial reports. We work with registrations and get absentee ballots processed and sent in with each precinct on ballots. It's a job that requires a lot of involvement and we don't want to make a mistake."

"We need to make sure all the instructions are correct, names are correct and in order," she continued. "We must order the quantity of ballots needed, get all workers we need on election day, train them, get the supplies ready, test the machines and make them 'zeroed out.' We must make sure the DRE pronunciations are correct and make sure all legals are tested on time. And finally send statewide voter reports and files electronically."

"There is a lot to do, especially when you're the primary person to do it," she added. "It's so complex and it's always changing. It's tough, and there is no manual, it's just experience that is going to help in the end."

"It's your right to vote on election day," concluded Sterrett. "It's really important because you want to elect good leaders in office. To get good leaders, you must vote for your leaders."

Election calendar

Sterrett explained the significance of upcoming dates for voters and potential candidates found in the 2008 state election calendar: Jan 23 - First day for party nomination. The first day Republicans and Democrats can file for local and state offices including the school board, state convention delegates, or precinct committee. Feb. 6 - First day for absentee ballot. If someone plans to be out of the county or is confined to their home, they can vote by absentee ballot. This can be done in one of three ways - either by mail, in the clerk's office or by a visit from an election worker with a traveling board. Help would be provided if needed. Feb. 22 - Deadline for candidacy. The noon deadline for major parties to petition for placement on the primary ticket, get signatures from their county, and file for candidacy in order for certification by the clerk's office. April 7 - First day to vote absentee with clerk. The first day voters can vote absentee in the clerk's office. Absentee voters must visit the office to vote by May 5 at noon.

May 6 - Primary Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The clerk's office is open Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wed. from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information contact the county clerk's office at (765) 564-6795.

Comet candidate policy

Candidates filing for office may submit a picture and free announcement of candidacy for the Political News section of the Comet. Submissions, up to 300 words, must be received by the Comet before the second Friday following the candidate's filing.

Filings as of Jan. 29:

• Carl Abbott (R) and Dick Roe (D) for county council, • Wayne Chapman (R) for surveyor, • Barb Chapman (R) for recorder, • Bob Resler, Madison Township District 5, Delphi

Community School Corp.