Polls are open this morning for voters in the City of Salem to cast ballots to pick a party nomination for Mayor and City Council; setting up this November’s general election. 

There is a four-way race for Salem Mayor with all new candidates.

Current Mayor Troy Merry did not seek re-election. 

Precincts open until 6p are Salem 1, 2, 3, and 4 and they are all located at the Salem Armory at 1100 N. Shelby Street.

This is the first time there has been early voting in a City of Salem election, according to Washington County Clerk Sarah Milligan. 

Milligan said there were 4,321 registered voters in Salem’s four districts and 189 early ballots went out.

“That’s a pretty good number,” said Milligan. “I love that we can give people this opportunity. It makes things much easier for our voters.”

She said about 2000 people voted in the 2015 election. 

Positions up for voting are: 

Mayor 

Republican 

• Justin Green
• Robert “Bobby” Fletcher
• Ron Haendiges
• Christie Luckett

Democrat

• William “Bill” Ackerman
• Richard Bobby Longworth

Clerk-Treasurer of City of Salem
Republican 

• Sally Hattabaugh 

City Council, AT-LARGE
Republican 

• Janine Lee
• Jody Smedley 

Democrat

• RH Bennett
• Mark Hobson – Deceased

City Council, District 1

Republican 

• Danny Libka 

City Council, District 2
Democrat

• Warren “Truck” Jones
• Rick Stewart

City Council, District 3

Republican 

• Steve Crane

Democrat

• Jana Hayes

City Council, District 4
Republican

• Gail Napier

Democrat

• Wally Terkhorn – Deceased

Polls close at 6p. 

WSLM will be providing LIVE election return coverage tonight on WSLM 1220 AM and WSLM 97.9 FM as well as live on social media. 

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is reminding Hoosiers to vote in today’s Municipal Primary Election.

Cities and towns around the state will hold primary elections on today, and Hoosiers can go to www.indianavoters.com to look up which candidates will be on their ballot.

Voters will be required to enter their county of residence, name and date of birth to access their personal information. Voters can also find information on their polling location and election night results.

“I encourage all Hoosier voters to visit IndianaVoters.com to educate themselves on who they’ll be voting for and where they’ll be voting,” said Secretary Lawson. “An informed electorate is the key to a successful democracy so I encourage all voters to take advantage of this tool.”

Hoosiers may also call the toll free Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-IN-1-VOTE to speak directly to a representative for information, polling locations and to file grievances. Staff will be on hand to answer calls from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT on Election Day.

Voters may also visit www.in.gov/sos for additional information, including information regarding Indiana’s photo ID law. Indiana’s photo ID law requires every voter to present a government issued ID before casting their vote at the polls. For more information on Photo ID go to http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2401.htm.

The Indiana State Police in Sellersburg arrested a Clark County man Monday on voter fraud charges after an investigation which began in mid-April.  

On April 17, 2019, Trooper Mike Davis was assigned to investigate a report of voter fraud. 

During the course of his investigation, Trooper Davis learned that in November of 2018, John David Croucher, 60, 7115 Bethany Rd, Charlestown, Indiana, went to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in Sellersburg, Indiana and changed his legal address to 835 Park Street in Charlestown, Indiana. 

835 Park Street is the address of a coin-operated laundromat owned by Croucher.  

While at the BMV, Croucher also registered to vote under the Park Street address which resides within the city limits of Charlestown. 

Croucher’s Bethany Road address does not lie within city limits and is therefore not eligible for voting in Charlestown municipal elections. 

The investigation further revealed that on April 10, 2019, John Croucher went to the Clark County Courthouse and used his newly gained driver’s license to obtain an absentee ballot.  John Croucher then participated in early voting in the Charlestown municipal election.

The investigation was handed over to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office and a warrant was subsequently issued.  John Croucher was arrested without incident on the following charges and was remanded into the custody of the Clark County Jail:

• Perjury – Level 6 Felony
• Ineligible Voter -Voting or offering to Vote – Level 6 Felony
• Voting Outside Precinct Residence – Level 6 Felony

Since the news briefing on April 22, 2019, the Multi-Agency Task Force has received over 2,200 emails, 400 calls and an additional 135 calls and or walk-ins to local police departments and state police posts around the state. 

The total amount since the inception of the email and tip line is over 42,000.

Please remember that we are looking for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime. 

• Be specific as possible to a description
• Name and age if possible
• A connection to Delphi and that person’s location or address at this time   
• Leaving information on how we can contact you for possible clarification of your tip is helpful but not required 
• Tips can remain anonymous

If you have a tip, no matter how insignificant you feel it might be, contact us by email at abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or phone at 844-459-5786.