23 listed on county ballot so far

On the first three days Hoosiers could file for the primary election, 23 individuals joined Wayne County’s ballot, including two people who volunteered for two opportunities.

Filing opened Wednesday, Jan. 7. Twenty-one of the candidates so far are Republicans. One Democrat seeks to become a precinct committee member, and another joined a Republican for filing for U.S. House of Representatives’ Sixth District.

Those running as Republicans or Democrats must submit paperwork by noon Friday, Feb. 6, to get on the May 5 primary ballot.

According to Wayne County’s voter registration office, these candidates are now on the ballot:

• Wayne Superior Court 2 judge: Austin Shadle (Republican)
• Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney: Ashley Green (R)
• Sheriff: Alan Moore (R)
• County Council: Jeff Cappa (District 1), Barry Ritter (District 2), Beth Leisure (District 3), all Republicans
• County Commissioner: Brad Dwenger (R)
• County Recorder: Debbie Tiemann (R)
• County Auditor: Mark Hoelscher (R)
• County Assessor: Timothy Smith (R)
• U.S. House of Representatives Sixth District: David Lawrence Boyd (Democrat), Jefferson Shreve (R)
• State convention delegates: Jane Bumbalough, Brad Dwenger, Tara Pegg and Jerry Purcell (District 1), Aaron Roberts and Lora Roberts (District 2), Beth Leisure and Gary Saunders (District 3), all Republicans. They will only be on the ballot if there is a contest.
• Township board member: Gary Keesling, Jefferson Township (R)
• Township trustee: Steve Kaiser, Abington Township (R)
• Democratic Party precinct committee members: Charles Ryan Ogden, Wayne 31

Additional races this spring include: Dublin, Fountain City and Hagerstown town councils (two at-large seats each), State Senate (District 27), Indiana House of Representatives (District 56), Superior Court III judge, County Council District 4, which includes these precincts (Center 1-6 and Wayne 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 31, 33, 34), Wayne Township assessor, and trustees and board members for Abington, Boston, Center, Clay, Dalton, Franklin, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, New Garden. Perry, Washington, Wayne and Webster townships.

Running for office is a bit different for candidates not campaigning as Republicans or Democrats.

Independent or minority party candidates can file a petition of nomination for the November election for verification of petition signatures. Those candidates’ forms are due by noon June 30. Write-in candidates can file their declaration of intent to run in November. Their form is due by noon July 6.

The Libertarian Party must conduct a county convention to nominate candidates by noon July 3.

Key dates for voters

Here are key dates for Indiana voters planning to register or cast ballots this spring:

• April 6: Voter registration deadline, by 4:30 p.m. in person at the Wayne County courthouse or 11:59 p.m. online at indianavoters.com. A 17-year-old may register and vote in the primary if they’ll turn 18 by the November election.
• April 23: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. Voters must meet one of 12 qualifications including factors like age, disability, and lack of transportation. Note: United States Postal Service has announced that letters will be postmarked with the date they’re processed at a postal facility, not the date they’re dropped in a mailbox. Mail can be immediately postmarked by taking it into a post office and asking for that service during business hours.

Hoosiers wanting to check their voter registration status can do so anytime at indianavoters.com. After signing in, voters can change outdated information if needed.