The Elkhart County Republican Party wants you to know your candidates. Throughout the run toward the May 2026 Primary Election, we will be posting Q&As with your candidates to help introduce (and re-introduce) them to you – the Republican voter! All Republican candidates in the race are contacted. We begin this series with the contested race for Elkhart County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Candidate Bio: Olivia Olvera– My name is Olivia Olvera, I was born and raised in Michigan. I moved to Indiana with my mom back in 2004 to finish middle school and up. Since then, I have gone to college, got my associate’s degree in medical assisting, and decided that wasn’t the way I wanted to serve the community. I was lucky enough to be hired into the Elkhart County Clerk’s office in September of 2015. I have learned much of what the Clerk’s office does and still have much to learn. From 2015 to roughly 2022, I was familiar with both Civil and Criminal filings. The past four years, I have worked primarily on the Criminal side, as well as being able to earn more knowledge in everything BMV related. In April of 2023, I became the Supervisor over Superior Court 4. In September of 2025, when the New Court House opened, I jumped into my new role as Criminal Clerk Division Supervisor and am no longer under just one Court. I now have learned a decent amount of Superior Court 1, 3, 4 and Circuit. The things I do not know I’m very determined to learn and properly practice.
Why did you decide to seek election/re-election to this office? In the Ten years I have worked in the Clerk’s Office, I have been under Four different Clerks. Many of those Clerks had never worked in the Clerk’s office prior to being elected for that position. As I do understand that the head Clerk of the County is primarily for election purposes, I would be honored to climb my way up, being I have already worked within the office. I believe it would be very helpful for all the public concerns and questions, to already have general knowledge in the job. I have developed positive relationships with the staff and understand the daily operations that keep the office running. If elected, I will continue to provide reliable service to our community while ensuring our office operates as effectively and efficiently as possible. Learning everything election related, and the many important names and faces within the different departments outside of the Clerk’s office is something I look forward to.
What do you feel are the main issues facing this office heading into your next potential term? There are a few current issues within the Clerk’s office that I am aware of. Closing communication gaps between the Clerk’s and the public, as well as other departments we work closely with, is one of my goals. I am highly aware that confusion at either end of a conversation can quickly turn into frustration. I plan on having better practice from our department to handle issues with empathy and professionalism. Another issue I am aware of , is that in the past we have had many amazing volunteers become hesitant to help during election season out of fear that they wouldn’t properly be compensated in a timely manner. I do not currently know the process as to how payments go out, but I can promise once I do learn, it won’t be an issue again under me. The last issue I know was also election related, last season so many callers complained that their early ballots were not received on time. I have no issue going to the Post Office multiple times a day to ensure we receive and send out all the ballots and forms needed during election times.
What are some elements of this job that the public may not know about? The public may not realize, moving to the new Court House in 2025, we changed our collegues, and are still learning our new work load. In the Clerk’s office we are the start and finish of all case types or filings. We have to use three different programs to recieve and process all of the filings; which range from Juvenile, Child Support, Family (Divorce, Adoptions,Gaurdians, ect.), Estates, Civils(Mortgage Foreclosures, Evictions, Small Claims ect.), Criminal (and all three bond types), Marriage Licenses, and Traffic. Within those categories we need to know what is confidential, who or when people are allowed to recieve notices, and the correct order in which documents are processed. When we don’t have everything we need, or have any questions about Prosecutor or Officer filed work, we have to know who to contact within a timely manner. When a Judge has a question, it’s normally up to Clerk’s to find the answer and solve the issue at hand. The Clerk’s office processes all of the mail recieved from inmates, mail payments, and letters from the public. The phone calls we recieve could be someone wanting their case number, making a payment, asking about deadlines on filing, or simply for copies of documents. We truly are the face of the Courts Customer service.
Why have you decided to seek election as a Republican candidate and why are those values important to you? I have decided to seek election as a Republican because I want to see change within the County Clerks Office. I find it important for each clerk to have accountability for their responsibilities within their job task. As a republican I feel very strong about people being able to help themselves. I know that there are many resources we can help guide the public to, when they are acting as their own attorneys; as well as giving them the tools to view court live, and follow their own cases. I don’t believe in hoarding knowledge, and I want our reputation to be that we go above and beyond to handle the publics issues correctly the first time we see them at the counter, or taking a phone call from them. I would advocate more for the current supervisors so they never doubt the importance of their roles, as well as advocating for the public so they are treated with respect when they come to us. As a republican, I want to be the change I wish to see that I know we are capable of.
How can voters get in touch with you and stay updated on your campaign? For any potentional Voters that are interested in engaging with me further, I can be reached at my e-mail: [email protected] or my Canidate Face Book Page: Olivia Olvera – Elkhart Clerk Canidate. I will also be attending an event on April 15th at 200 E. Beardsley Avenue starting at 6p.m.
Candidate Bio: Patty Pickens – A nearly 50-year resident of Elkhart County, I am a graduate of Concord high School and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Management. I have more than 14 years of experience in county government, including seven years serving as the elected County Auditor, where I developed a strong understanding of county finances and budgeting.
I raised my three adult children in Elkhart County, and my family remains deeply rooted in the community. I am actively involved in the local Republican Party groups, where I have served in a variety of roles and volunteered my time over the years. I also periodically volunteer at the Goshen VFW and am a member of Crossroads Community Church.
Why did you decide to seek election/re-election to this office? I am seeking election to my first full term as Clerk of the Circuit Court to continue serving the people of Elkhart County with experience, integrity, and a commitment to efficient, transparent government. As my term as County Auditor was ending, I had already decided to run in the 2026 Primary for the Republican nomination because I remain devoted to public service and to meeting residents’ needs. After being appointed Clerk on January 8, 2026, I saw firsthand where the office needed stronger processes and clearer customer service. My background in county administration, attention to fiscal detail, and hands-on leadership uniquely position me to restore stability, modernize systems, and ensure timely, accurate records for our community. I will prioritize accessible services, accountability, and respectful treatment of every constituent. I ask for your vote so I can continue the work of improving the Clerk’s office and safeguarding public trust for all residents of Elkhart County.
What do you feel are the main issues facing this office heading into your next potential term? Heading into the next term, the Clerk’s office faces a core challenge of broken trust — with judges, court staff, county departments, and the public. This has manifested as strained working relationships, inconsistent procedures, delayed records, and reduced confidence in our service and accountability. Operationally, weaknesses in communication, outdated processes, and gaps in staff training have compounded the problem and increased errors and frustration for internal partners and residents alike. Restoring trust will require clear, consistent communication with the judiciary and county partners; process standardization and timely recordkeeping; upgraded technology to improve access and reliability; regular staff training focused on customer service and compliance; and transparent performance metrics and reporting to rebuild public confidence. Reestablishing collaborative relationships, demonstrating accountability, and delivering reliable, respectful service are the priorities to repair trust and ensure the Clerk’s office functions as an effective, dependable part of Elkhart County government.
What are some elements of this job that the public may not know about? The Clerk’s office is a beginning point and closing point in the judicial process, as record keepers we bookend proceedings and help to facilitate the actions of the court. The Clerk’s Office processes thousands of new court filings and maintains official court records. We collect court-ordered fines and fees, distributing funds to the appropriate agencies and accounts. We are responsible for issuing marriage licenses to qualifying couples, guiding applicants through the required documentation and legal steps to make their union official. The Clerk is also responsible for elections administration. Overseeing the elections process, including voter registration, ballot preparation, and ensuring elections are conducted fairly and in accordance with state and local law.
Why have you decided to seek election as a Republican candidate and why are those values important to you? I am a Republican because I believe in the principles of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and the foundational values of faith, family, and country. As a conservative, I believe that government works best when it stays within its means and respects the hard-earned money of taxpayers. Every dollar spent by the government belongs to the American people, and it should be treated with the utmost care and accountability.
My faith grounds my moral compass, my commitment to family reminds me what we are ultimately working to protect, and my love of country drives my belief that America thrives when individuals, not an overreaching government, are empowered to make their own decisions. These values are not just political positions; they are a way of life that prioritizes personal responsibility, strong communities, and a government that serves the people rather than the other way around.
How can voters get in touch with you and stay updated on your campaign? Voters can reach me via email at [email protected] or via phone/text at 574-370-1222.
