MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. -- The Marshall County Election Board announced on Tuesday a hearing was held after receiving a tip that Emanuel Reese, a candidate for Marshall County Commissioner District 1 in the 2026 General Election, violated election law.

The hearing took place on Monday and concluded with the election board unanimously voted that Reese did violate election law.

In the letter sent to the Marshall County Prosecutor's Office, the violation is said to involve Reese's Declaration of Candidacy (CAN-31) form filed with the Clerk's office on May 13.

The letter states Reese stated under oath that "I am not ineligible to be a candidate due to a criminal conviction that would prohibit me from serving in this office."

Indiana Code § 3-8-27(a)(5) requires the statement be made under oath as part of a declaration of candidacy. Indiana Code § 3-8-1-5(d)(3)(C) provides that a person is "disqualified from... being a candidate for an elected office if... the person pleads guilty... to a felony".

The board's letter states in two prior cases, Reese pleaded guilty to felonies.

The board subsequently determined Reese's sworn statement on the CAN-31 form was untruthful and a violation of applicable election law.

You can read the full letter below: