Tippecanoe County election board approves equipment certifications, vendor contract updates and poll-worker agreements ahead of primary
January 30, 2026 | Tippecanoe County, Indiana
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The Tippecanoe County Board of Elections approved a set of routine but consequential election-administration actions at a regular meeting, certifying voting equipment and the voter-verifiable paper audit trail, approving a vendor contract amendment and adopting several resolutions that set procedures and staffing rules for the upcoming primary.
The moves are intended to ensure the county's readiness and statutory compliance for the primary: the board approved annual certifications of the county's voting systems and the VVPAT required under Indiana law, accepted a revised Microvote contract as recommended by the county attorney, and adopted resolutions governing the central counting location, youth poll workers, staff proxies for absentee duties and the use of electronic equipment for the traveling board.
A staff member summarized the equipment certification requirement, saying the office had “done inventory and that we are using 100% of the VVPATs,” and pointed to the audit list provided in the packet. The Chair moved to approve the certification, which was seconded and approved by voice vote.
On vendor contracts, staff explained amendments to the Microvote agreement and noted additional terms recommended by County Attorney Doug Masson; the Chair moved to accept the Microvote contract with those recommended terms and the motion carried. Staff said a separate services contract (covering annual maintenance and operational services for the election year) is being prepared and will be returned to the board for review before services begin, with the goal of initiating services before early voting.
The board adopted Resolution 20-26-01 to establish a central counting location and to permit certain pre‑day scanner processing beginning at 6:00 a.m. on primary day. Staff described the change as an efficiency and security measure that allows centralized scanning of ballots earlier in a controlled environment so tabulation can proceed promptly after polls close.
Other resolutions approved include the yearly authorization allowing qualified 16- and 17-year-olds to serve as election workers (staff said roughly 10% of election workers fall in that age range), Resolution 20-26-03 permitting board staff to act as proxy to perform ministerial absentee‑voting duties under Title 3, Article 10, and Resolution 20-26-05 authorizing electronic equipment for the traveling board to help voters with dexterity issues. Staff said using experienced precinct-committee candidates as election workers continues under Resolution 20-26-04 with statutory safeguards and with the consent of party chairs.
The board also approved the poll-worker contract for the primary, noting there is no pay increase from 2024 tied to current budget constraints; staff said the county will revisit compensation and consult the county council for any future changes.
In a brief administrative update, staff reported campaign-finance compliance activity: the annual report deadline was Jan. 21 (noon), 12 late reports had been submitted, one committee remained outstanding, staff reported collecting over $550 in fines, and approximately $650 in fines remained outstanding. Key dates the office flagged included absentee-by-mail releases (March 21), voter registration close (April 6), a proposed machine public test on April 2 at 10:00 a.m., and early voting beginning April 7. Staff introduced April Gilman as the permanent co-coordinator and thanked interim coordinator Carrie Sanders for service.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the certification of voting systems and the required VVPAT certification; accepted the Microvote contract amendment (with attorney-recommended terms); adopted Resolution 20-26-01 (central counting location); adopted resolutions authorizing 16–17 year-old workers, staff proxy authority for absentee duties (Title 3, Article 10), use of precinct‑committee candidates as workers (with safeguards), and use of electronic equipment for traveling boards; and approved the poll-worker contract for the primary. In all recorded cases the motions carried by voice vote (individual tallies were not specified in the transcript).
The board adjourned after public comments and a commitment from staff to correct and verify minor historical items in the agenda listing.
The moves are intended to ensure the county's readiness and statutory compliance for the primary: the board approved annual certifications of the county's voting systems and the VVPAT required under Indiana law, accepted a revised Microvote contract as recommended by the county attorney, and adopted resolutions governing the central counting location, youth poll workers, staff proxies for absentee duties and the use of electronic equipment for the traveling board.
A staff member summarized the equipment certification requirement, saying the office had “done inventory and that we are using 100% of the VVPATs,” and pointed to the audit list provided in the packet. The Chair moved to approve the certification, which was seconded and approved by voice vote.
On vendor contracts, staff explained amendments to the Microvote agreement and noted additional terms recommended by County Attorney Doug Masson; the Chair moved to accept the Microvote contract with those recommended terms and the motion carried. Staff said a separate services contract (covering annual maintenance and operational services for the election year) is being prepared and will be returned to the board for review before services begin, with the goal of initiating services before early voting.
The board adopted Resolution 20-26-01 to establish a central counting location and to permit certain pre‑day scanner processing beginning at 6:00 a.m. on primary day. Staff described the change as an efficiency and security measure that allows centralized scanning of ballots earlier in a controlled environment so tabulation can proceed promptly after polls close.
Other resolutions approved include the yearly authorization allowing qualified 16- and 17-year-olds to serve as election workers (staff said roughly 10% of election workers fall in that age range), Resolution 20-26-03 permitting board staff to act as proxy to perform ministerial absentee‑voting duties under Title 3, Article 10, and Resolution 20-26-05 authorizing electronic equipment for the traveling board to help voters with dexterity issues. Staff said using experienced precinct-committee candidates as election workers continues under Resolution 20-26-04 with statutory safeguards and with the consent of party chairs.
The board also approved the poll-worker contract for the primary, noting there is no pay increase from 2024 tied to current budget constraints; staff said the county will revisit compensation and consult the county council for any future changes.
In a brief administrative update, staff reported campaign-finance compliance activity: the annual report deadline was Jan. 21 (noon), 12 late reports had been submitted, one committee remained outstanding, staff reported collecting over $550 in fines, and approximately $650 in fines remained outstanding. Key dates the office flagged included absentee-by-mail releases (March 21), voter registration close (April 6), a proposed machine public test on April 2 at 10:00 a.m., and early voting beginning April 7. Staff introduced April Gilman as the permanent co-coordinator and thanked interim coordinator Carrie Sanders for service.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the certification of voting systems and the required VVPAT certification; accepted the Microvote contract amendment (with attorney-recommended terms); adopted Resolution 20-26-01 (central counting location); adopted resolutions authorizing 16–17 year-old workers, staff proxy authority for absentee duties (Title 3, Article 10), use of precinct‑committee candidates as workers (with safeguards), and use of electronic equipment for traveling boards; and approved the poll-worker contract for the primary. In all recorded cases the motions carried by voice vote (individual tallies were not specified in the transcript).
The board adjourned after public comments and a commitment from staff to correct and verify minor historical items in the agenda listing.
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