State Rep. Ed
Soliday, R-Valparaiso, recently filed legislation that would improve
efficiency and accountability in Porter County elections.
If passed, the
number of officials on the Porter County Election Board would increase from
three to five, all absentee and early voting ballots would have to be
counted at a central location, and all employees would be subject to the
rules in the county employee policy manual.
“The voters of
Porter County deserve a transparent and efficient election process,” Soliday
said. “After reviewing the issues that emerged during the 2018 Porter County
election and discussing these issues with local officials from both parties
and the Secretary of State’s office, we’ve drafted this legislation in an
effort to improve the Porter County election process.”
Soliday said the
legislation would also institute an anti-nepotism clause, providing that an
appointed member of the county election board cannot be related to any
person with the authority to appoint them.
This bill has been
assigned to the House Elections and Apportionment Committee and is eligible
for amendments made by the committee.
Visit iga.in.gov to
learn more about House Bill 1217.