Move forces Harbison Township caucus for committee member

A Harbison Township Precinct Committeeperson’s move has forced the Republicans to caucus to fill the vacancy it will create.

The caucus will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 to fill a  vacancy in the office of Harbison Township Advisory Board created by the resignation of Lorie L. Hubbs.

Hubbs is moving to Marion Township.

She has served on the Harbison Township Advisory Board since January,2001. The other Advisory Board Members are Dalcus Fuhrman and Mary Lou Zehr.  “Lorie has served the township faithfully over the past 14 years,” Harbison Township Trustee Marvin Eisenhut said.  “She has always kept up on township issues and helped us provide township services at the lowest cost to taxpayers.  While she and Larry are leaving Harbison Township, they are not leaving Dubois County.”

Dubois County Republican Party Chairman Don Hayes will chair the caucus. Indiana law specifies the procedures to be followed in filling vacancies in elected offices. If a county, city, town or township official was elected to the office as the candidate of a major political party, then in most cases, a political party caucus is called to fill the vacancy.  However, the governor replaces all county-level judges and city court judges if a vacancy occurs.

Generally, the same eligibility requirements that apply to a candidate in a primary election or a convention apply to a candidate who seeks to be selected by a caucus to fill a vacancy.  However, the person who vacated the office is not eligible to be chosen by the caucus to fill the vacancy.

A candidate to fill a vacancy must file a declaration of candidacy with the county chair at least 72 hours before the time of the scheduled caucus.  The declaration of candidacy form (CEB-5) is available from the Indiana Election Division or the office of the Dubois County Clerk.

For more information about the caucus procedure, call Republican Party Headquarters at 812-630-8558.