Election Board to hear case on County Commissioner candidate's eligibility

The Marshall County Election Board has scheduled a hearing next month to determine whether a County Commissioner candidate violated election law, following questions raised by both major political parties about his eligibility to hold public office.

Marshall County Republican Chairman Deborah VanDeMark sent an email to Election Board Administrator Mindy Keilman on October 5 questioning Emanuel Reese's eligibility to run as a candidate for County Commissioner. In the email, VanDeMark said she received a call on October 3^rd from someone informing her that Reese had been charged with a B felony in Noble County. She indicated she found two cases but was unsure whether they involved the candidate because she did not have a birth date for confirmation.

VanDeMark said she reviewed documents from the Clerk's office in which Reese stated he is not ineligible to be a candidate due to a criminal conviction that would prohibit him from serving in office. She quoted Indiana Code 3-8-1-5 regarding the disqualification of candidates.

"I realize the ballot is prepared and voting has begun. I believe at this point the issue would be what to do if he were to win," VanDeMark wrote, asking Keilman to bring the matter to the Election Board for determination.

On October 20, Marshall County Democratic Party Chair Megan Rogers issued a press release stating, "The Marshall County Democratic Party is looking into Emanuel Reese's ineligibility to serve in public office. We are doing our due diligence to the party, Emanuel Reese, and Marshall County."

The Marshall County Election Board has scheduled a hearing on November 9 at 9 a.m. in the Clerk's Office at the Courthouse to determine if Reese violated election law.