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Kokomo Board of Elections retains chair, appoints clerk and sets election logistics ahead of April 7 vote
Summary
The Kokomo Board of Elections voted to keep the incumbent chair and to appoint an election clerk, reviewed voter-registration and filing deadlines, discussed using county ballot-counting machines while noting charter preservation requirements, and agreed to revisit candidate residency questions at a Feb. 9 meeting.
The Kokomo Board of Elections voted to retain its incumbent leadership and set logistics for the upcoming municipal election, including deadlines, polling location and a plan to check candidate qualifications.
An unidentified board member told colleagues, “I m willing to stay on as the chair for another term if that's what everyone wishes,” and a motion to retain the chair was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also moved and approved appointing the city—lerk as election clerk; the transcript alternates between referring to that staffer as "Melinda Stafford" and "Linda Stafford." The board recorded the motion as carried.
The board reviewed scheduling: the voter-registration deadline discussed was 30 days before the election (referred to in the meeting as March 6, 2026); the election date was stated as April 7, 2026. Members discussed the required advertisement schedule and noted the first of four weekly ads would begin the week of March 9. The nomination filing deadline for candidates was stated as Feb. 6; the board set a follow-up meeting for Feb. 9 at 5:15 p.m. to confirm any additional filings and resolve outstanding qualification checks.
Board members discussed absentee ballots and how county lists interact with election-day rosters, noting they would verify county procedures. On the count process, a board member said he had “spoke[n] with the county board of elections” about using the county—ounting machines that scan paper ballots to reduce hand counting. Another member raised a charter concern: “the charter requires that the ballots are preserved for 6 months” and that, in older charter language, voting machines must be sealed for six months. To address that concern without changing procedures immediately, a board member proposed a trial: conduct the usual hand counts on election day and then run the ballots through the machine afterward to test the equipment.
On candidate filings, staff reported two nominations received so far, both for District 1, including a filing from Glenn Allen Markson. The board noted one filer may not meet the charter—ondition that council members live in the district for at least one year immediately preceding the election. Members agreed to wait until the Feb. 6 filing deadline, then verify addresses and contact candidates as needed before making any public determination.
The board adjourned after setting the next meeting for Feb. 9 to complete verification and any remaining agenda items.
The Feb. 9 meeting was scheduled as the next procedural step if additional certificates arrive or qualification checks require further action.
