Wayne County voters now have additional choices on their May ballots because additional candidates jumped into county, state and national races during the last week they could file.

Two more candidates are running for Wayne County’s District 2 commissioner to replace Mary Anne Butters, who decided not to seek reelection. Tracey Jellison and Jeff Wheeler will face Aaron Roberts in the Republican primary.    

Republican voters also will have two choices for clerk of courts, treasurer, coroner, U.S. Senate and president; three choices for Superior Court 1 judge; six choices for governor and seven choices for U.S. House of Representatives’ 6th District.  

Democrats have two choices to consider for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives’ 6th District.

Those running unopposed in the primary as Republicans include District 56 State Rep. Brad Barrett, Surveyor Gordon Moore, District 3 Commissioner Jeff Plasterer, and the three at-large county councilors, Gary Saunders, Max Smith and Cathy Williams. 

Now, the work begins for candidates and for the voters to do their research before going to the polls on May 7.

Voter registration ends Monday, April 8, for the primary. Those interested in registering can visit the voter registration office inside Wayne County Courthouse, 301 E. Main St., Richmond, or see indianavoters.com. 

Voters also can verify their registration status at indianavoters.com. Those who have outdated addresses should update them by April 8.

Early voting begins at Wayne County Courthouse on April 9.

Voters who are eligible to cast absentee ballots by mail must submit an application by 11:59 p.m. April 25.  There are 12 reasons Hoosiers are allowed to vote via mail. Those include being 65 or older, disabled, absent from the county on Election Day, scheduled to work all 12 hours the polls are open, or confined to a home, health care facility or hospital because of illness or injury. 

To request an absentee application via mail, call 765-973-9226 or email voters@co.wayne.in.us. The form also can be downloaded at indianavoters.com.

Those who are confined or caring for a confined person who want an absentee voter board to visit their residence must apply by noon Monday, May 6.

Four vote centers will be open April 29 through May 3. Voters can also cast ballots on two Saturdays (April 27 and May 4) at First Bank Kuhlman Center and the courthouse.  Eight vote centers will be open May 7.

For general election information, call 765-973-9304.

May primary candidates for Wayne County voters

Here’s who filed: 

  • Wayne Superior Court 1 Judge: J. Clayton Miller, Ronald J. “Ron” Moore and Austin Shadle, all Republicans
  • County Commissioner District 2: Tracey Jellison, Aaron Roberts and Jeff Wheeler, all Republicans 
  • County Commissioner District 3: Jeff Plasterer (R)
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: Tara Pegg (R) and Melanie L. Vaughn (R)
  • County coroner: R. Brent Meadows (R) and Timothy Hubert Swift (R)
  • County surveyor: Gordon E. Moore (R)
  • County treasurer: Elizabeth “Beth” Fields (R), Douglas E. Glass (R)
  • County council at-large: Gerald “Gary” Saunders, Max Smith, Cathy C. Williams, all Republicans
  • Republican state convention delegates: Debra Berry, Bob Bever, Jane Bumbalough, Jeff Cappa, Brad Dwenger, Misty Hollis, Ron Oler, Tara Pegg, Stephen H. Rabe, Trent Daniel Reichley and Matt Strittmatter (District 1); Rodney Blanchford, Mary Anne Butters, Vicki L. Chasteen, Aaron Roberts, Lora Roberts, Sam Roberts and Doug Williamson (District 2); and Beth Leisure, Jeff Plasterer, Nathan Riggs, Barry Ritter, Gerald “Gary” Saunders, Brent Smith, Max Smith and Shannon Jo Smith (District 3)
  • Republican precinct committeepersons: Nikka K. Alcorn (Wayne 29), Chris Beeson (Jefferson 1), Debra Berry (Wayne 23), Bob Bever (Boston 1), Rodney Blanchford (Abington 1), Mark Broeker (Franklin 1), Jeff Cappa (Wayne 14), Douglas Coffin (Wayne 16), Marie Elstro (Center 1), Erin K. Harris (Wayne 9), Misty Hollis (Wayne 21), Susan E. Isaacs (Wayne 1), Beth Leisure (Washington 1), Myron P. Moyer (Harrison 1), Ron Oler (Wayne 24), Jeff Plasterer (Jefferson 3), Jerry L. Purcell (Wayne 7), Lisa Raatz (Wayne 13), Stephen H. Rabe (Wayne 24), Trent Reichley (Wayne 35), Nathan Riggs (Jackson 2), Barry Ritter (Jefferson 2), Aaron Roberts (Center 5), Janice L. Roberts (Center 2), Gary Saunders (Perry 1), Rodger Smith (Webster 1), Steven D. Smith (Wayne 34), George M. Sowers (Wayne 25), Aaron L. Stevens (Wayne 18), Matt Strittmatter (Wayne 31), Nathan Ulerick (Jackson 1), Kimberly Walton (Wayne 32), Brenda Warren (New Garden 1), Doug Williamson (Green 1) and Peter A. Zaleski (Wayne 3)
  • Indiana House District 56 State Representative: Bradford Barrett (R)
  • Governor: Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour, all Republicans; Tamie Dixon-Tatum (D) and Jennifer G. McCormick (D)
  • U.S. Representative (District 6): Jamison E. Carrier, Darin Childress, Bill Frazier, John Jacob, Sid Mahant, Jeff Raatz, Jefferson Shreve and Mike Speedy, all Republicans; Cynthia “Cinde” Wirth (D)
  • U.S. Senator: Marc Carmichael and Valerie McCray (D); Jim Banks and John Rust (R)
  • President: Nikki Haley (R) and Donald Trump (R), Joe Biden (D)
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A version of this article appeared in the February 14 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.