LaPorte County Election Board installs new member, elects Katie as president and moves to notify late campaign filer

The LaPorte County Election Board on Jan. 23 welcomed Julie Sinclair as its newest member and reorganized officers for the year, electing Katie as board president. The board approved minutes from its Dec. 10, 2025 meeting, amended the agenda to add a public comment period under new business, and voted to send statutory notice to a committee that filed its campaign finance annual report late.

Julie Sinclair introduced herself to the board: “I am the Democratic party chair and now also the newest member of the election board and I'm happy to be here to help,” and board members welcomed her. An unidentified board member who said they are the board’s secretary noted, “I am automatically the secretary by statute.”

Members moved and approved routine business items. A motion to approve the Dec. 10 minutes was made and the chair stated, “Motion carries.” Later in the meeting a motion to amend the agenda to include a public comment period was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. On campaign finance oversight, the board reported that nearly all committees filed annual reports on time; one committee filed late. A board member moved to send the required statutory notice to the late filer and to request staff to send the notice by both email and mail; the board approved the motion and agreed to set a follow‑up meeting in February if necessary.

Taylor Van Sickle was singled out for staff work tracking down outstanding reports; the board thanked her for intensive outreach to committees and treasurers. New member Sinclair suggested trialing a spreadsheet tool to assist audits of campaign finance reports; members agreed to evaluate the tool as a possible audit aid.

The board adjourned after brief closing remarks.