Every Marion County voter will see a constable race on the Nov. 3 ballot, but only voters in Center and Perry townships will have a choice of multiple candidates.
Indiana law mandates each township with a small claims court elects a constable to a four-year term. The next term begins Jan. 1.
What constables do
Constables are likely most known for serving and carrying out orders from their township's small claims court, including eviction notices. Small claims orders must be carried out by the constable of the township where the property is located. The sheriff handles orders from other civil courts.
Under state law, a constable also acts as the bailiff of the court and has police powers to make arrests, keep the peace, and carry court orders.
Constables don't earn a salary. They are paid only from fees collected for serving court papers, according to the law. Constables can appoint full-time and part-time deputies, who are paid the same way.
To run, a candidate must be at least 21 and have lived in the township for more than a year when taking office.
The Center Township contested race
Democrat Kenneth Allen, the incumbent, faces independent challenger Melvin (Major) Hall II. Allen won the Democratic nomination in the May primary over Byron Dawayne Davenport Sr. and Elijah Lee.
Center Township, one of nine townships in Marion County, includes downtown Indianapolis and part of Beech Grove.
The township's last elected constable, Democrat Denise Hatch, was removed from office in October 2024 after she pleaded guilty to felony official misconduct and two misdemeanors.
Allen was picked in November 2024 by Center Township Democratic precinct committee members to fill the vacancy. Days earlier Allen lost his re-election race for a seat on the Indianapolis Public Schools board.
In late August, Hall sued Allen in Marion Superior Court, asking a judge to remove him from office. Hall alleges Allen doesn't live in Center Township but at a Lawrence Township house owned by Allen's wife.
Township officers are required to live in the township they serve. Allen testified he now lives in a downtown apartment.
Judge John M.T. Chavis II has noted a gap in Allen's evidence of Center Township residency from about April 2023 through November 2025, a period that includes the day he took office.
Allen said he had no lease for that time and was living month-to-month in the same building, and he pointed to his voter registration and other records.
Chavis denied Hall's request to block Allen from office while the case continues. Allen has asked the court to dismiss the case.
The Perry Township contested race
Incumbent Republican David Taylor faces challenger Democrat Jerry Melvin.
Perry Township is in the south central part of Marion County and includes downtown Southport and Southern Dunes.
Taylor was first elected constable in 2010. He has more than 35 years of experience with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff's Office, according to his bio with the Perry Township Small Claims Court.
Melvin has run for office before — for the Perry Township Board in 2020 and for Perry Township trustee in 2014.
Law enforcement experience is not a requirement for a constable.
Center Township constable
Kenneth Allen (D) — incumbent
Melvin (Major) Hall II (I)
Decatur Township constable
Luke W. Schmitt (R) — incumbent
Franklin Township constable
Jeff Duhamell (R) — incumbent
Lawrence Township constable
Tracey DeJuan Cantrell (D)
Perry Township constable
Jerry Melvin (D)
David Taylor (R) — incumbent
Pike Township constable
Paul Woods (D)
Warren Township constable
Osnel L Andre, Sr. (D)
Washington Township constable
Steve Miller (D) — incumbent
Wayne Township constable
Kevin J. Kelly (D) — incumbent
