Election Vs. Appointment
March 18, 2024 at 1:00 a.m.
Editor, Times-Union:
The term “election” is defined as any electors meeting at which the electors choose public officials by use of voting tabulators or paper ballots.
The caucus cannot be considered an “election” because its function was not to choose a public official, but merely to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy in a public office.
Election officials and caucus officials not only have different qualifications but also serve different functions. Whereas elections are conducted by trained officials, the state and municipalities, prescribed by statue, caucuses are structured and conducted exclusively by party operatives.
In light of this disparity, and the two procedures, it is highly unlikely any legislature intended an appointee the term to be used as “elected official.” Therefore, the appointee shall not be “re-elected” but run as a first-time candidate to the office.
All 68 precinct committee men and women, yes, 68 people voted in the caucus, that makes Tyler Huffer “elected” and not appointed by the voters of Kosciusko County? He won by 3 votes!
Again, as stated before, caucuses are structured and conducted exclusively by party operatives. NOT the “general public.” This must be done in a general election to ensure the public voice is acknowledged.
The Indiana State Election Commission has never ruled on this kind of situation.
This is really nothing more than “common sense.” We don’t use common sense anymore in politics or anything else. As an “appointed township trustee” to fulfill the term of the township trustee who resigned as of Jan. 1, 1981, I NEVER considered being someone I wasn’t or trying to gain an unfair advantage by running for a re-election in 1982.
The complaint I filed with the county election board and county clerk is of valid concern. Whereas, I, as a voter of Kosciusko County saw the signage and immediately thought that is not right. The county election board can make the decision of what they feel is right or wrong in this situation. That is their duty and they should not be coerced by anyone to vote one way or another just as precinct committee men and women when voting in a caucus. If this complaint makes me a “Good Republican” NOT in good standing with the local GOP then that in itself is sad but is the way of the world today.
Julia Goon
Warsaw, via email
Editor, Times-Union:
The term “election” is defined as any electors meeting at which the electors choose public officials by use of voting tabulators or paper ballots.
The caucus cannot be considered an “election” because its function was not to choose a public official, but merely to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy in a public office.
Election officials and caucus officials not only have different qualifications but also serve different functions. Whereas elections are conducted by trained officials, the state and municipalities, prescribed by statue, caucuses are structured and conducted exclusively by party operatives.
In light of this disparity, and the two procedures, it is highly unlikely any legislature intended an appointee the term to be used as “elected official.” Therefore, the appointee shall not be “re-elected” but run as a first-time candidate to the office.
All 68 precinct committee men and women, yes, 68 people voted in the caucus, that makes Tyler Huffer “elected” and not appointed by the voters of Kosciusko County? He won by 3 votes!
Again, as stated before, caucuses are structured and conducted exclusively by party operatives. NOT the “general public.” This must be done in a general election to ensure the public voice is acknowledged.
The Indiana State Election Commission has never ruled on this kind of situation.
This is really nothing more than “common sense.” We don’t use common sense anymore in politics or anything else. As an “appointed township trustee” to fulfill the term of the township trustee who resigned as of Jan. 1, 1981, I NEVER considered being someone I wasn’t or trying to gain an unfair advantage by running for a re-election in 1982.
The complaint I filed with the county election board and county clerk is of valid concern. Whereas, I, as a voter of Kosciusko County saw the signage and immediately thought that is not right. The county election board can make the decision of what they feel is right or wrong in this situation. That is their duty and they should not be coerced by anyone to vote one way or another just as precinct committee men and women when voting in a caucus. If this complaint makes me a “Good Republican” NOT in good standing with the local GOP then that in itself is sad but is the way of the world today.
Julia Goon
Warsaw, via email