SPRINGFIELD - The Clark County Board of Elections has named a new director. 30-year-old Matthew Tlachac will be replacing Mark Oster, who is retiring in August.
In a 3-1 vote, the Clark County Board of elections selected Tlachac from a field of 10 finalists for the director's position. Mark Oster, the current director, announced his retirement three weeks ago. Since he is a Democrat, the board was forced to find another Democrat to replace him.
Oster says that politics did not play a role in his decision to retire. But he felt the timing was right to step down.
"I think age and I have got enough service. I have got 24 years of public service. It was a tough decision but I think everybody reaches that point where they say it's time to go," he said.
Tlachac is currently the deputy director of the Madison County Board of Elections. Oster says that the two counties use the same voting system and software for absentee voting which will make the transition easier during an election year.
Tlachac will start with Clark County on July 15 as an administrative assistant in order to learn the director's duties from Oster. He then will assume all duties on August 31. Tlachac will earn more than $52,000 a year as director.