Marion County Election Board Meeting: Candidate Challenges and Contract Approvals – February 20, 2026

The Marion County Election Board met on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM (local time) in the City-County Building. The meeting was called to order by Ann O’Connor (proxy for Chair Nolita Stewart). The board addressed contract approvals, a resolution regarding poll workers, and a large volume of candidate challenges to the 2026 primary election ballot. The board upheld most challenges, tabled a few items, and recessed to February 24, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Contract with Elite Security LLC – Approved unanimously (3-0). Three-year, $1.5 million not-to-exceed contract for armed security at the Election Service Center during election cycles (Feb–May and Aug–Nov). Six companies responded to the RFP.
• Amendment to Election Systems & Software (ES&S) Contract – Approved unanimously. Three-year continuation of existing election software and hardware services; no upgrade. Purchasing and legal approvals obtained.
• Resolution 03-26 (Poll Workers) – Approved unanimously. Allows candidates in contested primary races for precinct committee or state convention delegate to serve as poll workers during the 2026 primary election. Similar resolution passed in 2024.

Discussion Items

Candidate Challenges (CAN 2 – Elected Offices)

The board heard several challenges to candidates for elected offices (constable) based on party affiliation and voting history under Indiana Code 3-8-2-7. The challenger in most cases was Arthur Rowley or Milo Eldridge (Marion County Democratic Party chair). Key rulings:

• Marcus Ragland (Pike Township Constable) – Challenge rejected (3-0). The 2018 primary vote was recorded as “unknown.” Board found that the error was likely administrative, and Mr. Ragland swore he voted Democratic. The last two primaries in which he voted (2011 and 2022) were Democratic.
• Carlos Bailey (Center Township Constable) – Challenge upheld (3-0). Mr. Bailey had a Republican primary vote in 2016 and a Democratic vote in 2020. He provided a waiver from the Hendricks County Democratic chair, but the statute requires certification from the county chair of the county of residence (Marion). No certification was obtained.
• Rodney Stanback (Wayne Township Constable) – Challenge upheld (3-0). Mr. Stanback voted Republican in the 2023 primary and Democratic in 2022. He argued the 2023 vote was an error, but the board noted electronic poll books clearly show party selection.
• Carlton Miller (Wayne Township Constable) – Challenge upheld (3-0). Mr. Miller had no primary voting history. He checked the box on his filing form claiming he had voted in the two most recent primaries, but that was false. He did not seek certification from the county chair.
• Daryl Campbell (Wayne Township Constable) – Challenge upheld (3-0). Mr. Campbell did not appear or submit a statement. He had no primary voting history.

Candidate Challenges (CAN 37 – Party Offices)

The board processed 40+ challenges to Democratic precinct committee and state convention delegate candidates, all based on Indiana Democratic Party Rule 8C (most recent primary vote must be Democratic, or county chair certification). Chair Milo Eldridge challenged all candidates who did not meet the rule. The board upheld every challenge where the candidate did not have the required vote history or chair certification. Notable examples:

• Megan Alderman (PC Washington 95 & State Delegate) – Challenge upheld. She voted Republican in 2024 primary as a strategic vote against Mike Braun. She was previously appointed as vice chair by the county chair, but the appointment does not substitute for the required certification for candidacy.
• Gabrielle Alford (PC Center 66 & State Delegate) – Challenge upheld. She had no primary voting history due to military service and moving. She did not obtain certification from the county chair.
• Esme Barniskis (PC Center 22) – Challenge upheld. She had no primary voting history. She sought certification but received no response before the filing deadline. The board noted that the county chair has discretion and did not certify.
• Emily Black (State Delegate District 45) – Challenge upheld. She voted Republican in 2022 primary. She requested certification but received no response until after filing.
• Lisa Bray (PC Wayne 13 & State Delegate) – Challenge upheld. She voted Republican in 2024 primary. She submitted a written statement but did not attend.
• Philip Bremen (State Delegate District 7) – Challenge upheld. He voted Republican in 2024 primary as a strategic vote. He had a long history of Democratic voting and service, but no certification.
• Christopher Dean (PC Wayne 76) – Challenge upheld. He voted Republican in 2024 primary. He openly acknowledged the challenge was valid and urged the chair to certify him, but she did not.
• Constance Elliott (PC Pike 47 & State Delegate) – Challenge upheld. She had no primary voting history in Indiana (moved from Kentucky). She provided Kentucky voting record, but the board followed party rules. Secretary Sweeney Bell recused herself as an employee of the election board.
• Susan Huffer (PC Washington 46) – Challenge upheld. She voted Republican in 2024 primary as a strategic vote. She expressed discouragement but was invited to stay involved.
• Celeste LaCoursier (State Delegate District 40) – Challenge initially tabled for staff research. Staff found no record of her checking in for a primary election. The challenge was upheld (3-0). She will be notified if a clerical error is found.
• Nora Sallows (PC Lawrence 35 & State Delegate) – Challenge upheld. She voted Republican in 2024 primary. Her representative argued the challenges were “gatekeeping” and saddening, but the board applied the rules.
• Julia Stumpf (PC Center 33) – Challenge upheld. She voted Republican in 2023 primary and did not vote in 2024. She reached out to the chair for certification but received no response. The board noted she had not voted in the 2024 primary, which could have solved the issue.

Remaining CAN 37 Challenges (No Appearance)

The board read 40 names of candidates who did not appear or submit statements, all challenged for vote history. The board voted unanimously to uphold all those challenges.

Problem Filings (Administrative Corrections)

Staff presented a list of filings needing corrections (missing ballot names, districts, offices, party designations). The board approved staff recommendations for most, including:

• Adding missing district numbers or ballot names based on voter registration or other filings.
• A few individuals were not registered to vote; those were tabled for further review at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Contracts Approved: Elite Security (3-year, $1.5M), ES&S amendment (3-year), Resolution 03-26 (poll workers).
• Challenges Upheld: 5 CAN 2 challenges (constable candidates) – 1 rejected (Ragland), 4 upheld. 40+ CAN 37 challenges (party offices) – all upheld.
• Challenges Tabled: None.
• Administrative Corrections: Approved for most problem filings; tabled for a few unregistered candidates.
• Meeting Recessed: To Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Room T-221 of the City-County Building, to address remaining items (unregistered candidates and any further business).