Indiana Judicial Branch: Marion judges on ballot
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Press release: Marion judges on ballot

For Immediate Release | May 13, 2024 | Updated June 5, 2024

Note: Judge James Joven had a scheduling conflict due to a jury trial. Judge Clark Rogers was amenable to switching, so Judge Joven and Judge Rogers switched interview times.


Eighteen Marion County judges to appear on November ballot

In November, eighteen Marion County judges will appear on the ballot for voters to consider. Voters will ultimately determine whether or not each of the following judges should be retained in office:

  1. Judge Linda Brown
  2. Judge John Chavis
  3. Judge Stephen Creason
  4. Judge Charnette Garner
  5. Judge Danielle Gaughan
  6. Judge Alicia Gooden
  7. Judge Clayton Graham
  8. Judge Jennifer Harrison
  9. Judge Amy Jones
  10. Judge James Joven
  11. Judge Marie Kern
  12. Judge Helen Marchal
  13. Judge Jeffrey Marchal
  14. Judge Charles Miller
  15. Judge William Nelson
  16. Judge Cynthia Oetjen
  17. Judge Clark Rogers
  18. Judge Jose Salinas

The Marion County Judicial Selection Committee is charged with making “recommendations to voters concerning the retention of judges.” Indiana Code 33-33-49-13.1 to 33-33-49-13.7 authorizes the duties of the committee.

On Friday, March 15, the committee publicly interviewed eight judges who had never been through the retention process. The committee found all eight judges to be qualified and recommended their retention in office.

On Tuesday, June 11, the committee will conduct public interviews with eight judges who are voluntarily appearing before the committee. The judges—whose terms expire on December 31, 2024—participated in the retention process in 2018 and were previously recommended by the committee for retention.

The interviews will be held in the Supreme Court Conference Room (State House 319) at 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Interviews are open to the public with decorum rules in place.

Tuesday, June 11 (all times listed below are Eastern)
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. – Executive Session
Break
9:45 a.m.-10:05 a.m. – Judge Clayton Graham
10:05 a.m.-10:25 a.m. – Judge Alicia Gooden
10:25 a.m.-10:45 a.m. – Judge Clark Rogers
Break
11:00 a.m.-11:20 a.m. – Judge Jose Salinas
11:20 a.m.-11:40 a.m. – Judge Helen Marchal
11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Judge John Chavis
Break
12:15 p.m.-12:35 p.m. – Judge Amy Jones
12:35 p.m.-12:55 p.m. – Judge James Joven
12:55 p.m. – Lunch and Executive Session followed by public vote

Four judges are not appearing before the committee. Two incumbent judges who filed for retention are choosing not to appear before the committee. Two judges (John Hanley and Mark Stoner) whose terms are expiring at the end of the year are not seeking retention. Applications to fill the two vacancies will be released at a later date.

Details about the work of the committee and the membership can be found online.

  • See original press release as posted May 13

    For Immediate Release | May 13, 2024


    Eighteen Marion County judges to appear on November ballot

    In November, eighteen Marion County judges will appear on the ballot for voters to consider. Voters will ultimately determine whether or not each of the following judges should be retained in office:

    1. Judge Linda Brown
    2. Judge John Chavis
    3. Judge Stephen Creason
    4. Judge Charnette Garner
    5. Judge Danielle Gaughan
    6. Judge Alicia Gooden
    7. Judge Clayton Graham
    8. Judge Jennifer Harrison
    9. Judge Amy Jones
    10. Judge James Joven
    11. Judge Marie Kern
    12. Judge Helen Marchal
    13. Judge Jeffrey Marchal
    14. Judge Charles Miller
    15. Judge William Nelson
    16. Judge Cynthia Oetjen
    17. Judge Clark Rogers
    18. Judge Jose Salinas

    The Marion County Judicial Selection Committee is charged with making “recommendations to voters concerning the retention of judges.” Indiana Code 33-33-49-13.1 to 33-33-49-13.7 authorizes the duties of the committee.

    On Friday, March 15, the committee publicly interviewed eight judges who had never been through the retention process. The committee found all eight judges to be qualified and recommended their retention in office.

    On Tuesday, June 11, the committee will conduct public interviews with eight judges who are voluntarily appearing before the committee. The judges—whose terms expire on December 31, 2024—participated in the retention process in 2018 and were previously recommended by the committee for retention.

    The interviews will be held in the Supreme Court Conference Room (State House 319) at 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Interviews are open to the public with decorum rules in place.

    Tuesday, June 11 (all times listed below are Eastern)
    8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. – Executive Session
    Break
    9:45 a.m.-10:05 a.m. – Judge Clayton Graham
    10:05 a.m.-10:25 a.m. – Judge Alicia Gooden
    10:25 a.m.-10:45 a.m. – Judge James Joven
    Break
    11:00 a.m.-11:20 a.m. – Judge Jose Salinas
    11:20 a.m.-11:40 a.m. – Judge Helen Marchal
    11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Judge John Chavis
    Break
    12:15 p.m.-12:35 p.m. – Judge Amy Jones
    12:35 p.m.-12:55 p.m. – Judge Clark Rogers
    12:55 p.m. – Lunch and Executive Session followed by public vote

    Four judges are not appearing before the committee. Two incumbent judges who filed for retention are choosing not to appear before the committee. Two judges (John Hanley and Mark Stoner) whose terms are expiring at the end of the year are not seeking retention. Applications to fill the two vacancies will be released at a later date.

    Details about the work of the committee and the membership can be found online.


Contact

Kathryn Dolan, Chief Public Information Officer 
317-234-4722
kathryn.dolan@courts.in.gov