Meet November’s ballot unknowns

This November, there will be more to vote on than congressional representatives. Yes, voters will declare opinions about candidates for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, but there are more than a dozen other elected offices at the state, county and city levels that voters will also decide on.

Here, the IDS clears things up on a few of these lesser-known political positions.

State offices

SECRETARY OF STATE

The Secretary of State runs an office with a handful of duties important to citizens: elections, business services, securities (investor protection) and motor vehicle dealership licensing. This is also the third highest-ranking position in state government.

AUDITOR OF STATE

The Auditor of State is the chief financial officer for Indiana. Duties include accounting for state funds; paying bills; overseeing and disbursing tax money for counties, cities, towns and schools; and paying state employees.

TREASURER OF STATE

The treasurer is the chief investment officer for Indiana. The treasure’s job is to maximize the return on Indiana’s investments.

STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS

The members of the Indiana General Assembly, also called State Senators and State Representatives, form the legislative branch of the state of Indiana. Their jobs are to make laws on a state level, similar to what the U.S. Congress does on a national level.

Judicial offices

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE

The judges of the Circuit Court are elected by community members. The court has jurisdiction over all cases filed within Monroe County, including everything from petty traffic violations to serious felony offences, such as murder.

CIRCUIT COURT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

The prosecuting attorney is responsible for an office of lawyers who represent the state in criminal trials within the Monroe County Circuit Court.

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

The clerk aids the Circuit Court judges in their role by maintaining and preparing court documents. This office also manages elections, although regulated by the state, are conducted within precincts on a county level.

county offices

COUNTY RECORDER

The recorder is responsible for all legal documents held by the county, including records of real estate, elections, various affidavits and contracts.

COUNTY SHERIFF

The sheriff’s office is responsible for law enforcement and correctional facilities within Monroe County. The sheriff oversees this office, essentially a county-level police force combined with the county penitentiary.

COUNTY ASSESSOR

The assessor maintains property records and other information related to property and property tax within Monroe County.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

The county commissioners are the executive and legislative arms of county government. The entirety the County government is under their command, with the exception of financial issues.

COUNTY COUNCIL

The county councilors are responsible for money use within Monroe County, including appropriation of funds, the budget, tax rates and the power to borrow money for the county.

City offices

BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE AND BOARD

Townships in Indiana are small geographic designations within a county that are generally responsible for public services such as road maintenance, planning, trash collection and fire protection. In Monroe County, the township is directed by a board of three members plus a trustee.

MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

The seven-member Board of School Trustees for Monroe County schools is responsible for the oversight of public education within the county.