County

Sheriff, Vigo County

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The sheriff runs the county jail and provides police patrols, especially outside city and town limits.

Candidates Compare by issue

Steve (Top Guns) Ellis

Republican

Business owner; Vigo County Council president

The gist

Pledges a review of jail processes within 30 days
Proposes jail programs that prepare inmates for release
Supports changing the community's approach to policing

More about Steve

View sources (2)

Pledges a review of jail processes within 30 days
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Vigo County Sheriff
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I've made the commitment to look at our jail processes within the first 30 days, if elected.”
Proposes jail programs that prepare inmates for release
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Vigo County Sheriff
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Inside, I'd like to creat programs that address the individual's needs once they are released and start giving them the tools while incarcerated.”
Supports changing the community's approach to policing
Fell to face Ellis in Vigo Sheriff race in November
News coverage · Tribune-Star · May 5, 2026 · tribstar.com
“changes to our approach to policing as a community”

Derek Fell

DemocraticIncumbent

Vigo County sheriff

The gist

Supports community corrections for lower-level offenders
Supports detaining repeat and serious offenders before trial
Pledges to keep the jail population within legal limits

More about Derek

View sources (1)

Supports community corrections for lower-level offenders
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Vigo County Sheriff
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I am personally very supportive of our community correction program for lower-level offenders.”
Supports detaining repeat and serious offenders before trial
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Vigo County Sheriff
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“there are certain individuals (repeat offenders and those who are committing more severe crimes) who should be detained pending trial”
Pledges to keep the jail population within legal limits
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Vigo County Sheriff
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We have and will continue to keep our incarcerated numbers at legal limitations so we are not faced with a recurring overcrowding issue”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.