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Central Committee:
   Wayne Parke, ChairmanÂ
Mary Jo Kaiser, Director
 Dottie Thomas, Vice Chairman
   Lon Walters, Secretary
   Farley Smith, Treasurer
   Kevin Harrison, Editor Â
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News and Upcoming Events for March 24, 2020
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Get the Latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) information at:
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     Governor Holcomb Orders Hoosiers to Stay Home in Fight Against COVID-19Â
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Governor Eric J. Holcomb delivered a statewide address yesterday to order that Hoosiers remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety. The order is in effect from March 25 to April 7.
“The next two weeks are critical if we are to slow the spread of COVID-19, and we must slow the spread. You must be part of the solution, not the problem,” said Gov. Holcomb.
Governor Holcomb issued four executive orders:
- EO 20-08. Stay at Home. Provides for essential and non-essential business and operations, infrastructure, government services, travel, and activities outside of one’s home. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the stay-at-home order.
- EO 20-09. Continuity of State Operations. Provides for the continuing operation of state government from 5 p.m. today through 8 a.m. April 7 with restricted access to government buildings and services.
- EO 20-10. Enforcement Directive Regarding Prohibition of In-Person Dining.
- Directs that state and local boards of health and the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) take all available administrative and enforcement actions against establishments that continue to offer in-house dining services, in violation of the governor’s executive order of March 16.
- Health departments will deliver letters ordering restaurants that continue to provide in-person dining to cease such operations. If they do not comply, fines will be levied.
- For restaurants with alcohol permits that continue to offer in-person dining, the ATC will issue an order in writing for the establishment to cease such operations. If the activity continues, the ATC will suspend the entity’s liquor license and will consider the non-compliance at the time of permit renewal.
- EO 20-11. Provisions for carryout consumption of alcohol.
- Relaxes the sale of carryout alcoholic beverages for dining establishments. This includes establishments that allow for on-premises consumption only and those that are permitted carryout permits dependent on a percentage of on-premises sales.
 For more information click on the links below.
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Gov. Holcomb Announces Primary Moved to June 2
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Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced last the Friday, that due to COVID-19 concerns, the primary election will be moved from May 5 to June 2, 2020. Keeping Hoosiers safe is a top priority for Governor Holcomb, and by delaying our primary, we’ll properly balance the safety of county employees, poll workers, and voters with Hoosiers’ right to elect their citizens in a free and open election.
This wasn’t a step taken lightly — and it’s all centered around making sure Hoosiers can still exercise their right to vote during this coronavirus pandemic. It was a joint decision made by Governor Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer and the Indiana Democrats.A few additional fast facts about the Primary Day change:
- Any registered voter will be able to vote via an absentee mail-in ballot.
- The window for requesting an absentee ballot will remain open through 12 day out from the new primary election date.
- Medical professionals will be eligible members of traveling boards to allow nursing home and hospital patients to vote.
- Family members will be allowed to deliver absentee ballots.
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Primary Goals
If you’re like many other Hoosiers and Americans, I’m sure you’ve had a very unique week. As we all face the global coronavirus pandemic, together we’ve had to face new challenges — whether that’s an unexpected slow down at work, adapting to new social distancing guidelines, helping your kids with e-learning or so much more.
Through it all, though, we all share one primary goal — protecting our most vulnerable Hoosiers from this virus.  And that’s where Indiana’s primary election comes in. With county employees, poll workers and voters in close proximity, we knew that holding the election as planned on May 5 could put our fellow Hoosiers at risk.
That’s why today, I was proud to join Governor Eric Holcomb as he announced that he was taking executive action to move Indiana’s primary election to June 2. I’m proud to share that this is a bipartisan decision, as Governor Holcomb worked with Secretary of State Connie Lawson, the chairman of the Indiana Democrat Party and me to come to this solution that balances citizens’ right to vote with Hoosiers’ health and well-being.
So while we all go through this challenging time, we’ll have an extra month until Primary Day. And with that, I look forward to witnessing a new age of creative virtual campaigning that’ll be coming our way soon.
– Chairman Kyle Hupfer
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 2020 Primary Election Update:Â
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Voter Registration Period for the 2020 Primary has been  extended to
Monday, May 4, 2020.
Registration can be done online or by mail as follows:
Register to Vote Online: Register to vote online by visiting indianavoters.com. Indiana residents with a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana state-issued identification card will be able to use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.
Register to Vote by Mail : To register to vote or update your current registration by mail, you will need to complete and return the Voter Registration Form (VRG-7) on or before May 4, 2020. ONLY the version of the state voter registration form (VRG-7) published on the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division website will be accepted by the Vanderburgh County Voter Registration office. Return the completed form to the Vanderburgh County Voter Registration office or the Indiana Election Division by midnight, May 4, 2020.
Get a copy of form VRG-7: Voter Registration Application by visiting the Indiana Voter Portal HEREMail your completed VRG-7 form to : Vanderburgh County Voter Registration
Civic Center Complex, Room 214
1 NW M.L. King, Jr. Blvd
For more information visit the Vanderburgh County Voters Registration webpage, or call 812-435-5222. |
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2020 Primary Election Update:
Absentee Voting to begin Tuesday, May 5, 2020
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The first day that a voter may vote an absentee ballot for the 2020 Primary Election has been changed to Tuesday May 5, 2020. Early voting at the Election Office will be 8:00 am – 4:00 pm weekdays starting Tuesday May 5, 2020 and conclude at Noon on Monday June 1, 2020.
To vote absentee by mail:
Mail the completed  APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT to:
Vanderburgh County Election
P.O. Box 3343
Evansville, IN 47732-3343
 The revised deadline for absentee-by-mail applications to be received by the Election Office for the 2020 Primary Election is 11:59 p.m., Thursday May 21, 2020.
 If you have any questions, please call the Election Office at 812-435-5122.
 The Vanderburgh County Election Office is located at : Civic Center Complex, Room 216
1 NW ML King Jr. BLVD ,Evansville, IN
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  The VCRP is currently filling poll worker positions for the June 2, 2020 Primary Election. To be a poll workers you must be a registered voter residing in Vanderburgh County. Additionally, poll workers cannot be a close relative to a candidate whose name appears on the ballot, and cannot be the chairman or treasurer of the committee of the candidate whose name appears on the ballot. Vote Center Poll Worker compensation is $275 for Inspectors, $195 for Republican Judges and$195 for Republican Clerks. Training is a requirement.  For more information or to volunteer to be a Republican poll worker contact the Vanderburgh County GOP at 812-425-8207 or Email VCRP Political Director Mary Jo Kaiser at beamerjo59@gmail.com
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The VCRP Central Committee Meeting for Wednesday, March 25 is CANCELLED.
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The next regularly scheduled VCRP Central Committee Meeting will be 11:30 AM on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at GOP Headquarters, 815 John Street, Evansville.
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 City Council Meeting-   Date: Monday, March 30, 2020
        1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
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EVSC Board of School Trustees Meeting-
       Time: 5:30 PM
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 County Commission Meeting-   Date: April 14, 2020
        1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
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VCRP Monthly Breakfast Meeting-Â Â Â Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020
Time: 7:30 AM doors open / 8:00 AM Program
  Location: C.K. Newsome, Room 118A-B
  100 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47713
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 County Council Meeting-  Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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        1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
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 Gov. Holcomb Takes More Actions to Protect Hoosiers During Public Emergency
 Last week Governor Eric J. Holcomb took additional actions to protect and support Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak by signing executive orders that extend the closure of schools, provide economic relief and protections for individuals and businesses, and expand unemployment insurance benefits for those impacted by job loss.
“Every day we learn more about how to tackle this monster. We are being thoughtful about how to approach every action we are taking in this national public health emergency and putting Hoosiers’ health and safety first,” said Gov. Holcomb.
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Here are a few of the actions that have been taken to date:
- Extending Indiana’s state of emergency by another 30 days when it expires on April 5
- All of Indiana’s K-12 public schools will remain closed through May 1, and non-public schools are also ordered closed.
- The deadline to pay your state income taxes will be extended from April 15 to July 15 to align with new federal dates, and penalties will be waived for 60 days for property taxes paid after May 11.
- Providers of essential utilities are prohibited from discontinuing services during the public health emergency.
- Small businesses can apply for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration to overcome temporary revenue losses
- The state will interpret Indiana’s unemployment laws to the broadest extent possible to cover Hoosiers who are out of work because of COVID-19.
- No residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be initiated during the public health emergency.
- The commissioner of the Department of Insurance will request that insurers institute a 60-day moratorium on policy cancellations for non-payment of premiums.
- To limit the number of in-branch transactions, late fees will be waived for several driver’s licenses and identification card renewals, vehicle registrations, titles, and certain other transactions.
- Mental health professionals are permitted to practice via telemedicine.
For a complete list actions the Governor has taken to protect Hoosiers click HERE |
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Across the state, Hoosiers are all in this together — making changes as we work to slow the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. It’s all about keeping Hoosiers safe…especially our most vulnerable Hoosiers (and “flattening the curve,” as the experts say).
Governor Holcomb — working continuously with the Indiana State Department of Health, top medical professionals from across the state and nation, and local, state and federal partners that are working together on this — wanted us to share a few guidelines with you in this week’s One Indiana to help you stay healthy during this global pandemic.
- Take more time at home.
- Following Governor Holcomb & the CDC’s directive, large gatherings should be postponed.
- If possible, work from home — and consider videoconferencing for meetings.
- If you have to be out, practice safe social distancing.
- Say hello with an elbow bump instead of a handshake.
- Wash your hands!
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Here’s a Hoosier way to make sure you’re washing long enough.
- If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Make sure to disinfect and clean all frequently touched surfaces – phones, keyboards, light switches, doorknobs, etc.
- If you’re sick, stay home.
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
- Seek medical attention if your condition worsens.
As Governor Holcomb said, it’ll take all of us — all of us — each doing our part to keep Hoosiers healthy and safe during this outbreak.
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 (information from 03/18/20 Holcomb Crew Update)
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 Counting everyone once, in the right place:
(from 03/20/20 News Updates)
The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation, including our population and much more. The results, collected once a decade, help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.
Census information helps businesses, researchers and communities make informed decisions about their futures. Identifying a community’s needs for things like a new fire department, more funding for school lunches or new roads are just a portion of what this information can tell us.
By April 1, every home will receive directions on how to respond to a short questionnaire, and participation is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. You will have three options for responding: online, by phone or by email.
The 2020 Census marks the first time you’ll have the option to respond online, and even on mobile devices. Workers will also be going door-to-door in some communities. Click here for the list of the questions asked, and watch a short video to see how your data is secured.
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Keep up with bills that are moving to Governor Eric Holcomb’s desk for final signature on the governor’s Bill Watch page.  Click HERE for more information
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Stay in touch with GOP state legislators representing our area (click links below):
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 A Message from the President:     Strong & United We Will Prevail!
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Stay in touch with GOP members of Congress representing our area (click links below):
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Visit the Vanderburgh GOPÂ
page for daily updates.
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 Mark Your calendar        CLICK on event for more information
| March 30 (5:30 pm) |
City Council Meeting |
| April 6 (5:30 pm) |
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| April 14 (3:00 pm) |
County Commission Meeting |
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April 18 (7:30am)
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VCRP Monthly Breakfast |
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May 4
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Voter Registration Ends |
| May 5 |
Early Voting at the Election Office Begins
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| May 6 (3:30 pm) |
County Council Meeting |
| May 18 |
Early Voting at Libraries Begins |
| May 23 |
Early Voting on Saturdays Begins |
| May 29 |
Last Day for Early Voting at Libraries |
| May 30 |
Last Day for Saturday Early Votings |
| June 1 (Noon) |
Early Voting at the Election Office End |
| June 2 |
Primary Election Day |
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 Make sure you add vandygop@gmail.com to your address book so we’ll be sure to land in your inbox! |
If you have any questions, contact Mary Jo Kaiser, VCRP Political Director, at
for more info. Thank you.
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