Switzerland County is less than two weeks into 2018 – but it’s already election time.
Candidates seeking to file for the May 8th primary election were allowed to file in the Switzerland County Clerk’s office beginning yesterday (Wednesday, January 10th) morning.
County Clerk Gayle Sullivan said that candidates may continue to file until noon on Friday, February 9th.
Candidates who file for office and then change their mind may withdrawal from the ballot until noon on Monday, February 12th.
For this year, there are many offices up for election, including:
– County Assessor, a post currently held by Joan Armstrong.
– County Auditor, a position currently held by Gayle Rayles.
– County Clerk of Courts, a position currently held by Gayle Sullivan.
– County Sheriff, a position currently held by Nathan Hughes.
– County Commissioner, District 3 (Cotton 1 and 2 precincts; Pleasant 1 and 2 precincts), a position currently held by Mark Lohide.
– County Council, District 1 (Jefferson 1 and 2 precincts), a position currently held by Elizabeth ‘Itsy’ Jones.
– County Council, District 2 (York precinct; Jefferson 3 precinct; and Posey 1 precinct), a position currently held by Mike Bear.
– County Council, District 3 (Craig 1 and 2 precincts; Pleasant 1 and 2 precincts), a position currently held by Glenn Scott.
– County Council, District 4 (Cotton 1 and 2 precincts; Posey 2 precinct), a position currently held by John Gary Welch.
– All Township Trustee positions: Cotton, Craig, Jefferson, Pleasant, Posey, and York townships are up for election. Those positions are currently held by: Barbara Bowling in Cotton; Stacey Mathews in Craig; Wade Hughes in Jefferson; Jim Wingate in Pleasant; Joey Rider in Posey; and Ken Byers in York.
– In addition to the Township Trustees, the members of the Township Advisory Boards will also be elected.
– Both the Republicans and the Democrats will elect delegates to their respective State Conventions.
– The Switzerland County Democrats will be electing Precinct Committeemen.
Sullivan also said that open registration for those wanting to register to vote is also underway. That can be done in a variety of ways and locations, including in the clerk’s office in the courthouse. Open registration ends on Monday, April 9th. Registration will then re-open after the primary election is completed for people who want to vote in the general election in November.
Sullivan said that, like past years, the traveling voting centers will be held around the county two weeks prior to the primary election on May 8th, but the official schedule has not yet been set. The clerk said that voters can cast their ballots in the courthouse beginning on Tuesday, April 10th.
For more information concerning this year’s election, contact the Switzerland County Clerk’s office at (812) 427-4415.