A pair of Republican candidates—Knox County Clerk & Recorder Scott Erickson and Treasurer candidate Jerrie Ann Walters—will remain on the 2026 primary ballot after the Knox County Electoral Board ruled Wednesday that objections to their nominating petitions did not rise to the level of fraud.
The hearing at the Knox County Courthouse addressed allegations that some signatures were not witnessed properly.
Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Worby, serving as board chair, said the allegation of fraud was “just not there.”
“What happened at the signing event was normal, usual, customary procedures for getting signatures on a petition for any candidate,” Worby said, speaking for the board.
She pointed out the precise language at the bottom of nominating petitions states “the signatures on these sheets were signed in my presence to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
She added there was no evidence—or even a suggestion—that the candidates asked people to sign on behalf of others.
“It doesn’t rise to the level of fraud,” Worby said. “The objector has not met the burden of proof.”
Although some invalid signatures were stricken, both candidates retained enough valid signatures to stay on the ballot.
The board consisted of State’s Attorney Ashley Worby (chair), Circuit Clerk Mary Ostrander, and Sheriff Jack Harlan. Clerk Erickson recused himself from the panel.
James Greenwood, attorney representing objector Pam Davidson, questioned Erickson, Walters, and petition circulator Rebecca Fredrich about whether they personally witnessed every signature. Witnesses said signatures were done in their presence but did not confirm seeing each one signed.
Many questioned signatures were collected at a Knox County Republican Central Committee Meet the Candidates event Oct. 7 at Lincoln Park pavilion.
Erickson told WGIL after the hearing he was happy with the outcome and relieved the serious allegation of fraud was rejected.
“Fraud is a very bad word,” Erickson said. “To have it thrown around haphazardly just to try for political gain is not something that should be done lightly. I’m very happy with the results of the board. Very happy to be able to stay in the race.”
He said he may review petition procedures in the future but noted the methods used have been standard for years.
“We want to make the process smooth for voters and encourage participation,” Erickson said. “We don’t want to intrude on privacy too much or create bumps in the road.”
Davidson, former Knox County Board Chair, current board member, and chair of the Knox County Democrats, filed the objections against Erickson and Walters. She told WGIL after the hearing she expected the decision from the Republican-majority board but found it upsetting.
Davidson said Fredrich testified she saw signatures but believed one person signed multiple lines.
“I think it was definitely fraud,” Davidson said.
Davidson said she will accept the ruling but plans to continue checking nominating petitions.
“It’s my duty to check and make sure,” Davidson said. “It’s also my duty to inform Democrats or anyone doing petitions that it’s their obligation to check all their petitions.”
Davidson added that Erickson, as a candidate and longtime clerk, should have verified signatures before submitting.
“As a person that is running for Knox County clerk and has been there for 20 plus years,” Davidson said, “that person, you would think, would have checked prior to submitting them and making sure that every signature was correct.”
At a separate electoral board hearing Friday afternoon at the Knox County Courthouse, Republican candidates Anthony Weiss and Tammy Weiss overcame challenges to their nominating petitions for District 1 on the Knox County Board.
The board allowed the candidates to “rehabilitate” one contested signature each, leaving them with enough valid signatures to remain on the March 2026 primary ballot.
Previous coverage:
– Objections filed against 5 Knox County GOP candidates for 2026 primary (Nov. 13)
– Knox County petition objections: 8-minute hearing sets Nov. 21 signature check (Nov. 14)
– Knox County Electoral Board removes Janet Windish from treasurer ballot (Nov. 21)
