A newcomer is challenging a party-appointed incumbent to serve as Bartholomew County Clerk, an office that oversees local elections, keeps court records and issues marriage licenses, among other things.
Currently, Republican Shari Lentz, 59, is serving as Bartholomew County Clerk.
In April 2021, Lentz was selected by a caucus of GOP precinct committeemen to succeed former Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps after he stepped down to take a new position at the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office.
Lentz is being challenged by newcomer and Democratic nominee Quisha Jackson, 42, a U.S. Navy veteran and security professional at Nighthawk Security.
Q: What do you think are the most important objectives that this office will be dealing with over the next four years?
Lentz: The clerk’s office is responsible for supporting the Bartholomew County court system, serving as a payment and distribution office for child support payments and administering and executing elections. A new case management system driven by the state was implemented for the court system in 2016, so I do not see any considerable changes in the near future. There is a new child support system with expected rollout in 2023. Voter registration and the election office works with the Indiana Election Division for guidance on the ever-changing practices and legislation to conduct a bipartisan and transparent election process.
Jackson: I think the most critical objective this office will be dealing with over the next four years is upholding election integrity. There have been reports that some poll workers have been instructed to secretly break election rules in some states. These poll workers are being told that it is OK to bring in cell phones or small pads of paper and pens to take notes. This is unlawful and a breach of citizens’ trust. Citizens have the right to go into the polling booth and cast their vote with the confidence that their choice will be confidential.
Q: If elected, how do you plan to approach those issues?
Lentz: I will work diligently to be sure that both, my staff and I, receive the proper training, information and guidance in order to serve the constituents of Bartholomew County well.
Jackson: When elected, I will uphold the integrity of all election laws that govern our state. I will work to ensure that all election officials and workers adhere to our election policies and procedures.
Q: What technology, if any, do you think the clerk’s office might need in the future to fulfill its mission?
Lentz: The advancements in technology helps make our work more productive and information easier to access. We have made many improvements in the clerk’s office in recent years. We became a vote center county in 2015 when I was serving in the role of voter registration and elections supervisor. Voting centers allowed voting to become more convenient but most importantly more secure. I will stay attentive to technology advancements that would benefit our office and primarily improve the services that we can provide.
Jackson: I feel vast improvements can be made with the county website. The website is often weeks behind posting timely and relevant information that Bartholomew County citizens need to know. Often times, it takes a resident calling in to inquire when certain information is going to be made available before it is finally published. I would work closely as a team with the IT department to help identify ways that we can alleviate the difficulties citizens experience when using the county website.
Q: If there was an election challenge as far as accuracy of the vote in Bartholomew County, what is the clerk’s role in the investigation?
Lentz: I was the voter registration and election supervisor in 2019 when Bartholomew County held its last recount. The clerk’s responsibility in a recount is to follow the instructions given by the judge of the court in which the recount is filed. The clerk does not physically participate in the recounting of the votes. Both parties are present, usually with their legal counsel while the appointed representatives from the parties along with the help of the election vendor actually recount the votes.
Jackson: As Bartholomew County Clerk, my role would be to administer a transparent voter recount following Indiana election laws. As a part of the county election board, I would be involved in addressing any alleged improprieties or irregularities. I will be responsible for conducting a fair election for all candidates and citizens. If a recount is needed, as Bartholomew County clerk, I would facilitate the recount process in a timely, lawful and accurate manner that would leave the community confident in the final results.
