JACKSON CO. – Vallonia resident, Amanda Lowery, announced she has filed for County Clerk. She previously served as Clerk of the Courts for eight years from 2010-2018 and has served as the County Recorder for the last three years. Lowery made her decision after learning the current Clerk, Melissa Hayes is not seeking re-election.
“I thoroughly enjoyed serving as your county clerk. The clerk’s office is a busy one with a variety of responsibilities. That makes the job interesting and rewarding.”
While serving as Clerk, Lowery transitioned the Clerk’s office to Odyssey, the statewide court management system, in 2012. This streamlined day-to-day processes and reduced the number of paper filings coming into the office. She returned $1 million-plus to the County General Fund through the collection of unpaid child support docket fees. Lowery also supervised 12 successful elections in Jackson County, improving election efficiency while maintaining the highest level of election integrity.
“The county clerk is responsible for coordinating and carrying out elections,” said Lowery. “This involves many different tasks from receiving filings of candidacy from those seeking elected office to voter registration, serving as a member of the election board, and overseeing the absentee voter board.”
In addition to those responsibilities, Lowery notes the clerk must also secure voting precinct locations, ensure everything operates smoothly on election day and oversee tabulation of ballots.
“In an election year, such as this year, the office is even busier than usual,” said Lowery. “Our election system is the foundation of our representative democracy and the county clerk’s office is the grassroots level of our election system. The Clerk must protect the integrity of our Elections and it has been my honor to do so. I hope to have the opportunity to serve in that role again if chosen by the voters.”
The Clerk’s office also works with many other county offices, most closely with the judge’s office in an administrative role. “As Clerk, I will work with the Judges and Court Staff to maintain and create more efficiencies in our court system,” said Lowery. “I want myself and my staff to provide a high level of customer service to the taxpayers we serve.”
The clerk is responsible for maintaining records of all judgments, orders, and decrees of the court. These records date back to the county’s beginning and their historical importance is significant, making proper maintenance of the documents important.
Other duties of the clerk’s office include issuing marriage licenses and performing wedding ceremonies as requested and administering oaths. The clerk’s office also collects child support and assists in maintaining the records of the Indiana Child Support Enforcement System.
Lowery has been very involved in the community from her volunteer work to serve as the 9th Congressional District Vice-Chairman as well as the Jackson County Republican Party Chair. During her time as Recorder, Lowery transitioned the office to AVID for the recording-a top of line recording software that requires a double-check of each document recorded in the office. She also increased awareness and participation in the Property Fraud Alert Program and the Honor Rewards Program for Veterans.
Amanda and her husband Chuck are lifelong residents of Jackson County, currently residing in Vallonia. Their daughter, Jenna, is a senior, and their son, Trent, is a sophomore at Brownstown Central High School.
