Dear Editor:

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 have different qualifications and serve different functions. Whereas elections are conducted by trained officials, 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.

According to the Tuesday, March 11 Times-Union, Republican Committee Chairman Mike Ragan stated “If a person is selected by precinct committeemen and women by ‘secret ballot,’ which occurs in a caucus, they have been elected. It is, in the election law that if you are an incumbent, regardless of how you become an incumbent, and you seek another term, you are running for re-election. It is our position he was “elected” by the caucus.”

In transparency, why should the ballot be “secret?” All 68 precinct committeemen, of which Tyler Huffer is one, should be willing to openly vote for a replacement and be on record for public scrutiny. Yes, 68 people voted in the caucus, that makes Huffer “elected” and not appointed?

Caucuses are structured and conducted by party operatives, not the “general public.” This must be done in a general election to ensure the public voice is acknowledged, not by “secret ballot” so precinct committeemen do not have to take responsibility for an “appointment” without public acknowledgement of their vote.

The Indiana State Election Commission has never ruled on this kind of situation.

This is really nothing more than “common sense” but, we don’t use common sense anymore in politics or anything else.

As an “appointed township trustee” to fulfill the term of June Thomas, township trustee, who resigned as of Jan. 1, 1981, I was honored to accept that position for the remaining two-year term when I was appointed by the precinct committeemen.

I chose to continue the responsibility as trustee and run as a candidate in 1982, which I have continued to date. I never considered being someone I wasn’t or trying to gain an unfair advantage by running for a re-election in 1982 after I knew I was never officially “elected.” I was “appointed to the office by caucus,” regardless if another candidate was running or not.

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 isn’t right. I don’t deserve the bashing of Huffer friends on Facebook or anybody else for bringing this matter to the attention of the county election board. The county election board can make the decision of what they feel is right or wrong in this situation. That is their job and they should not be coerced by anyone to vote one way or another just as precinct committeemen when voting in a caucus.

If this complaint makes me a “good Republican” not in good standing with the local GOP that in itself is sad but is the way of the world today.

Sincerely,
Julia Goon