Monday morning members of the Marshall County Election Board met to review and consider the Pre-Primary Campaign Finance Report submitted past the deadline by Republican Jesse Bohannon.
The County Election Board first swore in Steve Harper as the Republican member, replacing Adam Lukenbill. They then held the reorganization of the board for 2024. Steve Harper who’s previously served on the County Election Board for 20 years was elected Chairman of the board.
The Campaign Finance Hearing was started by County Clerk Jenny Bennett who commented, “The state statute sets the dates and times. It was due April 19th at noon, which was Friday and his report, which you all have a copy of is time-stamped 2:08 p.m.” Bennett said the last time the Election Board waived a penalty fee for being late was the municipal election. She said she felt the board needed to act or everyone will just wait till later the day of the date the report is due. The clerk said in the past they have charged $25 for getting the report in on the day it is due, but late.
Democratic board member Susie Kreighbaum said, “My opinion is that since we waived Brandon Richie’s, I think we should waive Jesse’s. We have a new board, but going forward we are going to stick to the state mandated time. I just feel at this point, he was only 10 minutes different than Brandon’s.”
Steve Harper said, “I feel that we are using county resources to talk about this problem. I feel that letting it go apparently didn’t work because it’s happened again.”
Clerk Bennett read a statement from Jesse Bohannon which said, “I want to apologize to the Election Board as I will be unable to attend the meeting hearing on Monday due to scheduling conflict. Please communicate to them that I do not dispute the violation of the timeliness of the filing on 4/19/24 of my Pre-Primary Campaign Finance Report. As indicated by the timestamp it was submitted at 2:10, past the noon deadline. I was attempting to make the deadline however, had I turned in that was in process at noon it would have been incomplete and inaccurate. I take responsibility for understanding the time necessary to complete such a lengthy report. Given the choice of time, I felt better to make sure it was complete rather than on time. I’m happy to pay the fine and will be pleased to pay the full $50 that the state assessed per day for late filings. I will be looking forward to receiving notice of the fine and will pay it promptly.”
Steve Harper noted the classes for candidate’s stress that it is better to turn in an incomplete report than a late report and then amend it. He said even the penalty is set up differently. Harper said, “I realize this is my first vote on it, but I just as soon show that I’m ready to stay the course on any of these because I feel it’s a waste of the county’s resources.”
The fee collected goes for candidates’ training.
The motion was made by Steve Harper to affirm the $50 fine set by the state. The motion was seconded by Susie Kreighbaum and voted on by the board with a 3-0 vote.
Harper said, “I feel it will take the emotions and any prejudices or emotions out of it if you just leave it as it is, as it is written.” He said all candidates get information from the Clerk’s Office when they file that lets them know what and when to file.
