Written by Victoria Gresham | June 3, 2022

The 1960’s was a time of extraordinary events for America. While we feared the threat of nuclear bombs and championed the efforts of becoming the first nation to send a man to the moon, it was a critical time for Porter County, Indiana and its residents as the final results of the Washington Township Trustee’s race hung in the balance for days.

Harland E. Beach filed his duly verified petition with the Porter Superior Court on November 19, 1962 requesting a recount of votes that were cast in the First Precinct for the office of Washington Township Trustee in Porter County, Indiana. Representing Mr. Harland was Philip M. Cagen, who filed notice with the court and to Harland’s opponent, Cloyce D. Clover, who was personally served by sheriff. The General Election results would not be immediate while Beach exercised his rights for a fair election.

Although the election polls closed at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 6th, Harland needed to wait for all votes to be counted, before considering his legal course of action. Since voters can vote by a provisional ballot, that portion of the election process requires a 10-day waiting period after election day for voter verifications and provisional hearings to take place.

To compare with today’s Indiana Election laws, pursuant to Indiana Code 3-11.7-5-1 in regards to “Requirements and Deadlines for Counting Ballots” the state law requires a three (3) day waiting period. How to further handle provisional ballots is defined by Indiana Code Title 3 Elections, which includes the appointment of provisional ballot counter teams, criteria for determining the validity of ballots, why ballots may be rejected, and certifying the provisional vote count.

Harland’s petition fulfilled the criteria set for those days since the November 19th filing date surpassed the election date in 1962. Roland P. Sievers, Judge of the Porter Superior Court, examined and approved the petition finding it to be “in due form and sufficient,” including the “sum of $100.00 for the payment of all costs of such recount.” More than 25 days had lapsed since the general election held on Tuesday, November 6, 1962 prior to Harland Beach’s petition requesting the recount. Upon review of the petition, Judge Sievers ordered for Harland’s petition to be granted and that all of the votes that were casted in Precinct No. 1 for the Washington Township Trustee’s office be recounted as provided by law.

Placed in charge of that task and appointed as the Recount Commissioners were James W. Chester, Glenn J. Labor and William A. Fennell. The Recount Commissioners were to complete the recount within ten (10) days from the date of Judge Sievers’ order.

The Washington Township Trustee’s race represented a small hometown race but with big aspirations for one of its candidates. The integrity of the 1962 election was tested and tried through the check and balance system outlined by the Indiana legislative branch for a fair election process. Voters exercised their right to vote, while a candidate used the judicial system to ensure a bona fide outcome.

About the Parties to the Case
Harland E. Beach passed away at the age of 87 years old on January 21, 2004. He was born on September 17, 1916 in LaPorte County. He graduated from Emerson High School and was married to Virginia Daugherty Beach on March 5, 1939 in Westville, Indiana. He was a member of the Goodfellows Club and enjoyed many hobbies and interests.

Cloyce D. Clover was born on October 2, 1909 in Pierceton, Indiana. He passed away at the age of 90 years old on Sunday, April 23, 2000 at the Willows Rehabilitation Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University in 1932 and was heavily involved in his community. Cloyce was a charter member of the Wanatah Lions Club and the Washington Township Fire Department. He served Porter County in various capacities, including as the Washington Township Trustee for 12 years. He was active with the Porter County Farm Bureau and was the founding supervisor and first Secretary of the Porter County Soil and Water Conservation District. In the political arena, he served twice as a Republican Party convention representative.

The United States in 1962: Elections & Events
• In a closely contested presidential race, U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy, the Democratic nominee, defeated the incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon, the Republican nominee for the United States 44th quadrennial presidential election in 1960.
• President John F. Kennedy delivered his soaring “Moon Speech” at Rice University on September 12, 1962 to embrace the importance of the nation’s space efforts to send Man to the moon by the end of the decade. In his speech, the President discusses the importance of the United States becoming an international leader in space exploration. View/Listen here: President Kennedy’s Moon Speech at Rice University

• The Cuban Missile Crisis became the most terrifying event during the Cold War. For 13 days in October, the confrontation between President John F. Kennedy and the Soviet Union brought the world to the brink of nuclear destruction and the end of mankind. The Soviet Union had placed live nuclear missiles in Cuba, a known communist country, less than 90 miles away from the State of Florida. President Kennedy worked tirelessly for a peaceful resolution.

^{_{(References: Porter County Clerk’s Office, Archives; Porter Superior Court, Cause No. 19484, Filed December 5, 1962; Post-Tribune Obituary, January 23, 2004; NWITimes Obituary, April 25, 2000; Indiana General Assembly, 2022 Session Legislation, Title 3 Elections; Indiana State Recount Commission Guidelines for Conduct of an Election Recount and Contest As Amended, November 4, 2016; “World on the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis.” JFKLibrary.org.)}}