Monroe County Election Board forwards complaints alleging electioneering by Joe Davis to prosecutor

The Monroe County Election Board voted June 4 to forward two complaints alleging electioneering, possible voter intimidation and missing sign disclaimers by Joseph Bradley "Joe" Davis to the county prosecutor for further investigation.

At a hearing held during the board’s regular meeting, the board reviewed sworn testimony from two complainants and evidence provided to the board. Karen Wheeler, who filed the first complaint, said she repeatedly observed Mr. Davis enter the polling chute, follow voters to their cars and display signs that initially lacked the statutory disclaimer. "He would follow people to the door," Wheeler testified, saying the conduct made her, as a woman, feel intimidated. A second complainant identified in the record as Ms. McGarry testified she felt "trapped" when Davis followed her from a handicapped parking space toward the entrance and continued speaking within what she estimated was well inside the 50-foot chute area.

Joseph Bradley Davis, who identified himself under oath as the candidate, denied unlawful conduct and said much of his activity was site maintenance. "I cleaned up the property," Davis said, describing pruning and sweeping around the entrance; he also said his signs bore a "paid by Joe" label and disputed the accuracy and provenance of photos and videos submitted with the complaints. Davis asked for more time and the opportunity to present witnesses; the board explained the hearing’s role is to decide whether there is sufficient cause to refer the matter for formal investigation, not to determine guilt or impose penalties.

Molly, who summarized the complaints and the adopted hearing procedures for the board, read the statutory framework the board was using. The county’s counsel cited Indiana Code provisions that the board discussed as potentially applicable, including IC 3-6-5-31 (investigation of election law violations), IC 3-14-3-16 (electioneering near polls) and provisions addressing unauthorized presence in the chute (IC 3-11-8-15; IC 3-11-8-16). Board members described the question of "intimidation" as fact-sensitive and noted several possible outcomes: no action, admonishment, or referral to prosecuting authorities for investigation.

After deliberation the board moved to forward the Wheeler complaint to the prosecutor and then to forward the McGarry complaint; the clerk called the roll on both motions and recorded affirmative votes from Nicole Brown, Danny Shields and Penny Givens. The board instructed staff to provide the prosecutor with the written complaints, submitted photos and videos, and Mr. Davis’s exhibits; Mr. Davis consented to staff photographing his exhibits for submission.

The board’s action does not determine whether charges will be filed. Under the statute cited at the hearing, a referral initiates further review by prosecuting authorities, who will decide whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The election board adjourned after taking the votes and opened a short public-comment period. During public comment a Monroe County resident criticized national political trends unrelated to the complaints; Mr. Davis used the public comment period to request clearer advance notice of hearing rules and to say he expected to be vindicated if the matter proceeds to formal investigation.

Procedure and next steps: county legal staff will compile the complaints and supporting evidence, photograph exhibits that Mr. Davis wishes to retain and forward the full record to the prosecutor’s office for their review. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 2, 2026, subject to confirmation of the commissioners’ calendar.