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Elkhart County board schedules June 4 hearing on candidate signage complaints
Summary
The election board set a hearing for June 4 at 3 p.m. to consider four candidate complaints about disclaimers and signage; staff will send certified and regular notices and may proceed in absentia if candidates do not appear.
The Elkhart County Election Board on May 15 scheduled a formal hearing for Thursday, June 4 at 3 p.m. to adjudicate four complaints alleging signage or disclaimer violations in the recent primary.
Board members agreed to give the four involved candidates written notice next week; staff said it will send both certified and regular mailings to ensure receipt. The chair explained that if a candidate does not appear the board may proceed in absentia and decide the matter on the available evidence.
Legal counsel explained procedural expectations for hearings and evidence; board members discussed timing and public access and chose a later afternoon start to accommodate work schedules. The hearing will be limited to the complainants and the respondents, and the board noted it will follow standard notice and opportunity‑to‑be‑heard practices.
What to expect: staff will mail notices the week after May 15. Candidates who receive notices will be able to appear and present evidence; if they do not appear, the board may rule based on the written record. The board also discussed creating a clearer fine or penalty schedule and tracking repeat violations as part of future enforcement consistency.
Public comment during the meeting included praise for election staff and a request for clearer machine labeling to reduce voter confusion.
