Primary Election Candidacy Denied for 13 Dearborn County Residents

The Dearborn County Elections Board held a public meeting on Tuesday

Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The Dearborn County Election Board held a public meeting on Tuesday where 13 Primary candidates faced removal from the May 7 ballot.

The challenges came from Dearborn County Republican Party Chair Mark Dole based on Indiana Code. In each individual case, Dole presented his case which largely revolved around the potential candidates knowingly or unknowingly certifying themselves as a Republican. 

Dole referenced the CAN-37 document on multiple occasions, which is the form for Declaration of Candidacy for Precinct Committeeman or State Convention Delegate 2024. The form asks for candidates to request to be on the May 7th ballot as a Democrat or Republican. 

While all of the 13 individuals that were being challenged declared as Republican, they still didn't meet certain requirements to be in good standing with the Republican Party - which includes voting Republican in the last two primary elections they voted in or obtain an authorization from the county chairman to be eligible for election. 

Most of the potential candidates were in attendance on Tuesday. Those that were there took to the podium and went under oath to make their case to remain on the ballot, but their efforts were were all for naught as none could show evidence that they had met all the requirements to run as a Republican. 

CORRECTION from ORIGINAL STORY: There was some confusion in the room on Tuesday whether Dole had the authority to sign off on any of the would-be candidates as a good standing Republican. He did have the authority but only prior to the February 9 deadline. Therefore, he could not sign any authorization forms at Tuesday's meeting. 

Dole referenced Section 4 of the CAN-37 on multiple occasions,  which states: 

I comply with all requirements under the laws of the State of Indiana and any candidate requirements set by my party’s rules to be a candidate for this office. If required by my political party’s rules, I have attached a statement by the county chairman of the county in which I reside that I am a member of the political party with which I claim affiliation.

The Dearborn County Election Board was left to vote on each case, denying candidacy for each of the 13 individuals based on the evidence presented. 

One example was Guy Jim Fulton (a known Abraham Lincoln impersonator), who was attempting to run for Precinct Committeeman Greendale 1. After graduating from Lawrenceburg High School in the 1950s, he enlisted in the Air Force and spent much of his life living elsewhere before returning to Greendale in 2020. Much of his voter history was unavailable except for one vote Republican and a recently pulled full ballot to vote for a Republican that was running as an Independent in Greendale. Despite his efforts, he was denied candidacy because he did not have physical evidence surrounding his voting history.  

During the public comment portion of the meeting, one citizen asked "why are we even doing this, if you already know the answer is going to be no." 

The answer, due process. 

Those removed from the ballot are: 

Lydia Mortenson 
William Halbig
Cynthia Volk
Justin Bischoff
Amanda Hicks
John Becker
Madison Fulton
Anthony Albue
Brent Fox
Robert Remmers
Guy Jim Fulton
Richard Martin
Rick Johnson
William Halbig