The four candidates for the job are Mitchell N. (Nicia) Artis, who has experience in office management and real estate management; Nicolete (Nikki) Crawford, a former Clark County Auditor employee; Thomas Wilson, a former Clark County assistant prosecutor, and Martin Mahoney, a former Springfield City Commissioner, according to documents obtained by the Springfield News-Sun.
Ted McClenen, a member of the board of elections and central committee chairman of the Clark County Democratic Party, said officials are expected to name a director at the next board meeting on Feb. 16.
“We have some good candidates, but we’re looking for experience,” McClenen said.
The new director will lead the March 15 primary election. The last day to register to be eligible to vote in the primary is Feb. 16, according to the Clark County Board of Elections.
Tlachac had served as the director of the Clark County Board of Elections since 2012 after Mark Oster announced plans to retire Aug. 31.
Tlachac had been deputy director of the Madison County Board of Elections prior to coming to Clark County.
McClenen praised Tlachac for his work with the board of elections.
Tlachac was instrumental in seeking pay raises for his staff after discovering they were among the lowest paid in the county.
He also worked to ensure poll locations were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and had been in discussions with area superintendents about closing schools that also served as polling places on Election Day to better protect students.
McClenen said described Tlachac as a person who cared about people. He said Tlachac did a great job running the organization.
“Matthew was a brilliant addition to our board,” McClenen said. “We all hate to see him go.”
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