The Marshall County Election Board members held a hearing Monday morning to address one tardy campaign finance report submitted by Jesse Bohannon.
Prior to the hearing, Steve Harper was given the oath of office to serve as the Republican representative on the Marshall County Election Board. He was also appointed to serve as the board’s chairman.
Campaign finance reports were due Friday, April 19 at noon ET in the Marshall County Clerk’s Office. Bohannon turned in his report at 2:08 p.m. ET that day.
He submitted a letter to the Marshall County Election Board explaining his tardy report as he was unable to attend the meeting in person. He said he was finalizing the report to turn in a complete report rather than an inaccurate report and that it took a while longer than expected than the noon deadline.
Harper commented that it was always noted that a campaign finance report should be turned in on time rather than having an incomplete report as an amended report can be filed. It was also his opinion that the board should hold candidates accountable for filing late campaign finance reports and impose the fine of $50.
Board member Susie Kreighbaum noted that the board’s last hearing that pertained to late campaign finance reports resulted in a waived fine as the report was filed two hours after the filing deadline and thought the same should be done, but understood the direction Harper discussed.
Harper said he would vote to impose the fine in every instance going forward to ensure that the reports are turned in on time.
The board has to vote all in favor if the members want to adjust the fine. If the vote is not unanimous, the fine stands as declared in state statute.
Harper made a motion to affirm the $50 fine and Kreighbaum did second the motion. The board all voted in favor of the motion.
The board members stressed that candidates should realize that fines will be imposed from this point forward when there are tardy campaign finance reports.
