Fair Board to hold elections today from 9 to 7

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GREENVILLE — On Thursday, the Darke County Agricultural Society, better known as the Darke County Fairboard, will be conducting elections to fill five seats.

There are two races being held. The first is for a full three-year term with four members to be elected. The eight candidates vying for the four seats include:

Craig Bowman; Heidi May; Ed Erisman; Russ Bennett; Thomas Shaw; Jerry Bunch; Dudley Lipps; and Richard Delk.

Bennett, Delk, Erisman are incumbent governors. Bennett has served on the board for 12 years, Erisman for three years, and Bennett for six years. The open seat up for grabs was formerly occupied by Matt Aultman, who resigned his seat in January upon being sworn in to the Darke County Board of Commissioners.

The second race is for an unexpired term (ending in 2018) with one member to be elected. Incumbent Cindy Riffle, who has served on the board for 15 years, is running against newcomer David Singer.

This year’s election will be overseen by the Darke County Board of Elections, which is bringing in a voting system provided by Clear Ballot Group. The board will evaluate the Clear Ballot Group’s system with an eye toward its use in future elections in Darke County, according to Board of Elections Director Luke Burton.

“The Board of Elections donates our time and voting machines each year to the Fair Board to operate their election. We have opted to do something different this year,” said Burton. “We are beginning to look at new voting equipment in the hopes that there will be state funding within the next couple years. I have invited Clear Ballot Group to bring their new voting system and equipment to the fair this year. Those fairgoers holding a voting ticket will have the opportunity to use this new voting equipment. This is a valuable opportunity for myself and Boards of Elections in surrounding counties to see the machines in action during an ‘unofficial’ election.”

James Rundlett, regional sales manager for Clear Ballot Group, said, “Our system works by lifting the marks off of paper ballots, and offering a library of images that is lined up by confidence of voter intent. This allows election officials to be sure that the computer tabulation accurately reflects what each voter meant.”

Voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Members of the Darke County Agricultural Society, 18 years of age and older who have turned in their fair passes for tickets, are eligible to vote. Voting will take place at the Darke County Sheriff’s building, just north of the Grandstand.

In October, the board will choose its officers — president, vice president and treasurer — with the newly elected or reelected officers taking their seats beginning in November.

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The Darke County Fairboard election will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ten candidates will be vying for five seats on the board.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_fairhomelogo-PRINT.jpgThe Darke County Fairboard election will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ten candidates will be vying for five seats on the board. Courtesy photo
Prospective voting equipment to be tested

By Erik Martin

[email protected]

The writer may be reached at 937-569-4314. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com

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