The LaPorte County Election Board on June 27 reviewed how it enforces the election code, described recent compliance work on reporting defects and delinquencies, and warned currently serving elected officials about a new requirement to file a CFA-1 form by July 1, 2025. Board members said they will step up outreach and training to reduce hearings and fines.

An unnamed board member leading the meeting said the board reviewed all 84 pre-primary and pre-election committee reports rather than sampling, and that defects found in schedules or summaries were handled under the code’s process. "If the defect is cured, there's no need for further hearing," the board member said, describing the statutory five-day cure window for amended reports.

Public commenter Daryl Borton urged the board to apply referrals consistently after noting the board previously referred the Democratic Civic Club to state investigators while other groups had not been referred. "If it's not gonna get referred, withdraw your complaint from the city club and define them or whatever you gotta do because it's been going on too long," Borton said. Board members responded that cases differ and investigations remain ongoing; they said referrals to the state police or prosecutor occur only when facts suggest a possible criminal offense.

Julie Sinclair, identified as the Democratic party chair, asked that party chairs be included in communications about defective and delinquent filings and offered to contact candidates to explain deadlines and help them comply. "I think it could be helpful if the party chairs were included in the communications about who has a defective filing and who has a delinquent filing," Sinclair said, offering to help first-time filers.

Board members described administrative steps to improve compliance: Taylor (staff) will send consolidated notices, maintain a shared spreadsheet for responses, and the board will contact party chairs if officials do not respond. Board members also discussed organizing an educational seminar or using election-division conference materials to teach candidates how to complete campaign finance forms.

The board reviewed enforcement mechanics for late filings and fines. Under existing law cited in the meeting, annual-report delinquencies are assessed at $50 per day up to $1,000; board members described past practice of reducing fines after discussion and said reductions must be handled consistently. The board emphasized that referrals for potential criminal conduct go to the state police or prosecutor and require a majority vote to refer.

A central topic was a recent legislative change requiring any currently serving elected official to file a CFA-1 form by July 1, 2025. The board said fines for noncompliance are assessed starting July 11 at $50 per day, up to $1,000. They noted exemptions: local offices with annual receipts or disbursements below $5,000 may be exempt, and state officeholders file with the state election division rather than the county clerk. The board said it will email and call officials and party chairs this week and next to encourage timely filing.

The meeting included routine procedural votes: the agenda was adopted and the February 20 minutes were tabled; both motions carried by voice vote. The board closed by reiterating support for training and assistance to avoid future hearings and adjourned.

The board did not take new enforcement actions or adopt new rules at this meeting; members described outreach and education as the next steps and said they will follow up with party chairs and affected officials after the July 1 filing deadline.