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Education
Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Management
Campaign Email
ppickens67@gmail.com
Occupation/Current Position
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Campaign Phone
574-370-1222
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 Operationally, weaknesses in communication, outdated processes, and gaps in staff training have compounded the problem and increased errors and frustration for internal partners and residents alike.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.
Improving election administration is a top priority. In my first three and a half months as Clerk of the Circuit Court, I have already increased transparency and oversight by holding more Election Board meetings in the first quarter of 2026 than were held in the previous two years combined. I believe it is essential to keep the County Election Board fully informed, so I have maintained open and consistent communication with its members and will continue to do so.
Additionally, responsible budget management is a key part of effective election administration. In the past, the County Election Board did not have the opportunity to review the election budget. Moving forward, I am committed to presenting the budget to the Board so members understand what it includes and have a clear picture of the costs associated with running elections.
In my first three months of serving as Clerk, several steps have been taken to strengthen election security and oversight. More Election Board meetings have been held in 2026 than in the previous two years combined under prior leadership. New procedures have been implemented to ensure bipartisan representation during early voting, including joint oversight of unused and completed ballots. Daily completed ballots are secured, sealed, and transported with representatives from both parties present. Upon arrival at the Voter Registration office, both parties oversee receipt and storage. Ballots are placed in a secured office requiring two separate locks—one controlled by each party—ensuring that access is only possible with bipartisan participation and oversight.
Vote Centers should be evaluated based on security, location, accessibility, and ADA compliance. The Election Board plays a key role in approving these sites. The goal is to ensure there are enough well-placed locations throughout the county so all voters have reasonable access and the opportunity to cast their vote.
I will provide comprehensive training that ties technical proficiency to the ethical duty of maintaining court integrity. Adding Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the different functions within the office and establishing a regular audit/review of our processes and internal controls to ensure our documented procedures are being strictly followed to ensure compliance with legal and statutory requirements.
To protect public resources, our office maintains strong internal controls through diligent timeclock monitoring and compliance with county policies. These measures ensure transparency and the responsible use of taxpayer funds in our operations.
Rebuilding and improving public trust is essential to the success in the Clerk's office. A key part of that effort is ensuring staff are properly trained and equipped with the knowledge needed to accurately and professionally assist the public. Just as important is providing responsive service—making sure phones are answered and messages are returned promptly. By prioritizing professionalism, transparency, and timely communication, we can strengthen public confidence in the Clerk’s office.
Improving court support and public access to records requires strong communication and thoughtful use of technology. Maintaining open, ongoing dialogue with court staff, judges, and magistrates helps ensure the Clerk’s office is responsive to the needs of the court and operates efficiently.
In addition, exploring technology solutions to make certain records—where permitted by law—accessible online can greatly improve public access. Providing secure, online options would offer added convenience and reduce the need for individuals to visit the Clerk’s office in person, while still maintaining compliance with all legal requirements.
