The one-shy three-member Carroll County Election Board welcomed new member John Brown, a two-year resident of Jefferson Township, to the board at a Monday evening meeting. He was then selected to lead the group in 2010. Brown said he was the county chair in Warren County and has considerable experience in all aspects of the election process.

Board members Brown, Gil Smith and county clerk Nancy Mattox discussed the possible need for new voting machines. It was determined more information is needed before making an informed recommendation to the commissioners at their Feb. 15 meeting.

A special election board meeting will be held Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. to discuss additional information about the machines and state requirements concerning replacement.

Smith said the board heard two presentations from companies which offered voting machines prior to the presentation at the earlier commissioners meeting. He said all proposals were under consideration, however the actual need for different machines had not been determined.

Mattox said the clerk’s office is prepared for candidate filing, which begins Wednesday, Jan. 20. She said filing packets, containing all necessary forms, will be ready at the beginning of the day.

According to the 2010 election calendar published by the Indiana Election Division, the first day to declare candidacy for a major political party primary nomination is Jan. 20. The last day to file is Feb. 19 at noon.

The clerk’s office may receive absentee ballot applications beginning Feb. 3. The deadline for absentee ballots to be mailed to voters who filed an application with the clerk’s office is March 25.

Regular party committees must file 2009 annual campaign finance reports by March 1 at noon. Candidates have until April 16 at noon to file pre-primary campaign finance reports.

Confined voters, a voter caring for a confined person at a private residence or a voter with disabilities may vote an absentee ballot before an absentee voter board on April 22. Absentee voting will be in the clerk’s office on April 24 and May 1 for at least seven hours. All absentee ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by May 3 at noon.

The primary election will be Tuesday, May 4, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the regular county polling places.

For a complete 2010 election timeline, visit www.in.gov/sos/elections.