The deadline to file for this year’s election was noon last Friday, February 5th; so the ballots are now set for the county’s primary election; which will be held on Tuesday, May 3rd.
This year’s primary will see contested races for both the Republicans and the Democrats; all with an eye on moving on to the General Election, which will be held on November 8th.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Two of the three seats on the Switzerland County Commission are up for election; and there will be contested races in the primary.
District 1
In the Republican Primary, incumbent Josh South will face challenger Christopher Clerkin in May; while on the Democrat side, current County Councilman Steve Crabtree won’t have any opposition in the primary.
District 2
In the Democrat Primary, incumbent P. Steve Lyons faces opposition from Lane Armstrong in the primary; and on the Republican ticket, Jerry Monjar is unopposed in the primary.
COUNTY COUNCIL
The Switzerland County Council is made up of seven members. Four of those members represent specific geographic regions in the county; while the three other members are elected ‘At Large’, which means that they can come from any area of the county and are voted on county-wide. This year, the three At Large positions are up for election.
Each party will elect three candidates to run in the General Election in November; and in November the three highest vote-getters among the six – regardless of party affiliation – will serve four year terms.
Republicans
In the Republican Primary, there are four candidates vying for the three spots. Incumbent Terry Hall is on the ballot, as our new candidates Lisa Fisher, Andrew Haskell, and Steven Jones-Ellard.
Three of those candidates will move on to the General Election.
Democrats
In the Democratic Primary, there are also four candidates hoping for one of the three spots. Incumbent Rachel Bladen Schuler is running for reelection, as our first time candidates Andrea Brogan, Matthew Levell, and Mark Powell.
Three of those candidates will move on to the General Election.
COUNTY RECORDER
In the Democratic Primary, former Recorder Nancy Brown Barker hopes to regain the position; and will face challenger Vicky L. Hinman in May.
There is no Republican candidate on the primary ballot.
COUNTY CORONER
Both the Republican and Democratic candidates for County Coroner are unopposed in the primary; and will square off in the November General Election.
Democrat Alicia Fritter will face Republican Clinton Earls in the fall.
COUNTY TREASURER
In the Democratic Primary, incumbent Vickie James is unopposed for reelection.
There is no Republican candidate on the primary ballot.
COUNTY SURVEYOR
In the Republican Primary, incumbent Brian McAllister is unopposed for reelection.
There is no Democrat candidate on the primary ballot.
*
Just because there are empty slots on the primary election ballot doesn’t mean that there won’t be contested races in the fall.
County Clerk Gayle Sullivan said that any position that does not have a candidate running in the primary election may be filled by the party through a vote of the Precinct Committeemen. That person would then represent the party in the General Election.
The deadline to file for an open spot on the ballot after the Primary is Thursday, June 30th.
*
Once again Switzerland County will vote in the primary election through the use of the Traveling Voting Centers. These centers will be available around the county beginning on Thursday, April 21st and will continue until Monday, May 2nd.
As in the past, any registered voter in the county may go to any of the traveling voting centers to cast their ballot. Voters do not have to wait until the center reaches the township in which they live in order to vote. The traveling centers give voters with varied work schedules the opportunity to vote at their convenience. For example: a voter living in Pleasant Township who works in Kentucky may choose to go to the voting center when it is in York Township because of the schedule.
On Election Day, the only voting center in Switzerland County will be at the TEC Building on Seminary Street in Vevay.
Here’s the traveling voting center schedule:
• On Thursday, April 21st, voters can go to the Moorefield Firehouse and vote from 8 a.m. until noon. Voters may also vote at the Moorefield Firehouse on Friday, April 22nd, from 2-6 p.m.
• On Saturday, April 23rd, voters can go to the East Enterprise Firehouse and vote from 8 a.m. until noon. Voters may also vote at the East Enterprise Firehouse on Monday, April 25th, from 2-6 p.m.
• On Tuesday, April 26th, voters can go to the Patriot Town Hall and vote from 8 a.m. until noon. Voters may also vote at the Patriot Town Hall on Wednesday, April 27th, from 2-6 p.m.
• On Thursday, April 28th, voters can go to the Florence Firehouse and vote from 8 a.m. until noon. Voters may also vote at the Florence Firehouse on Friday, April 29th, from 2-6 p.m.
• On Saturday, April 30th, voters can go to the Switzerland County TEC Center in Vevay and vote from 8 a.m. until noon. Voters may also vote at the TEC Center on Monday, May 2nd, from 2-6 p.m.
• On Election Day, Tuesday, May 3rd, voters can to the Switzerland County TEC Center in Vevay and vote from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
*
Along with the Traveling Voting Centers, voting will be available between Tuesday, April 5th and Monday, May 2nd in the basement of the Switzerland County Courthouse.
• On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, voting in the courthouse will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• On Thursdays, voting in the courthouse will be from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• On Saturday, April 23rd and Saturday, April 30th, voting can be done in the courthouse each of those days from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
*
The clerk’s office has also announced that now is the time to register to vote for those who haven’t already done so.
Those wanting to register may do so in the County Clerk’s office anytime during regular business hours from now until Monday, April 4th. Residents may also register to vote online at www.in.gov/sos/elections/2403.htm
Anyone having any questions may contact the Clerk’s office at (812) 427-4415.