https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/county-clerk-recorder/

Reelect Amy Ochs Tarr Jasper County Clerk and Recorder, 204 W Washington Street, Newton, IL (2026)

09/24/2026

A big thank you to the NCHS Ag Business class for creating such a beautiful fall display!

I’m especially proud of my nephew, who took the time to set it up right after his soccer game. That kind of dedication and willingness says so much about these young people.

Thank you to all of the students and everyone involved for making our community and homes look so welcoming and festive this fall!

09/22/2026

SAMPLE BALLOT IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Jasper County voters can now view the sample ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Election.

Review your ballot ahead of time so you know what offices, candidates, and questions will appear when you vote.

Take a few minutes to review your sample ballot and be prepared to vote!

Sample ballots are available through the Jasper County Clerk & Recorder’s Office.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov

Your vote matters. Make a plan, be informed, and make your voice heard on Election Day. 🇺🇸

09/17/2026

Some moments in life are difficult to put into words. Watching my dad, Benjamin Ochs, return home from Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois Mission 17 is one of those moments.

My Dad served our country in the United States National Guard, and this journey to Washington, D.C., was an opportunity for him to be honored for that service and to visit the memorials dedicated to the men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom.

But for our family, this trip was about so much more than a trip to Washington.

It was about a lifetime of memories.

I remember my Dad leaving for summer camps with the National Guard. I remember the excitement when he would come home and bring MREs with him. Somehow, as kids, we thought those meals were the best thing ever. Those little memories may seem simple, but they are memories that have stayed with us and remind us of the life of service that my Dad lived.

One story that says so much about the kind of person my Dad is happened right here in Southern Illinois. When a tornado went through Allendale, my Dad’s unit stopped to help. They didn’t stop because they were asked to. They stopped because that was simply the kind of people they were—people who saw others in need and stepped up to help.

That spirit of service has always been something I have admired about my dad.

Having my brother, Brad Ochs, accompany my Dad on the Honor Flight made the experience even more special for our family. There is something incredibly meaningful about a son walking alongside his father as he is honored for a lifetime of service.

And then came the homecoming.

Family, friends and community members gathered to welcome the veterans home. The applause, American flags, smiles and emotion that filled the room made it impossible not to feel the significance of the moment.

As I watched my Dad come home, I couldn’t help but think about all the years that have passed since those summer camps, those MREs at our kitchen table and the many times he quietly served others without expecting recognition.

This time, it was his turn to be recognized.

Dad, I hope you know how proud we are of you. Your service may have happened years ago, but the values you brought home from that service have continued to shape our family.

Thank you for serving our country. Thank you for teaching us what it means to help others. And thank you for being the kind of person who stops to help when someone needs it.

Welcome home, Dad.

And to every veteran who traveled on Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois Mission 17—welcome home.

You deserved every cheer, every handshake, every hug and every American flag waiting for you.

Your service matters. Your sacrifice matters. And you will never be forgotten.

With love and gratitude,
Your daughter Amy

09/13/2026

I want to make my position absolutely clear: I do not condone violence of any kind.

Violence has no place in our communities, in our political process, or in our public discourse. Regardless of our political beliefs, personal disagreements, or differences of opinion, we must never allow those differences to become an excuse for threats, intimidation, hatred, or physical violence.

Our communities are strongest when we can disagree respectfully, have difficult conversations, and work through our differences peacefully. Freedom of speech and the right to express an opinion are fundamental to our country—but those rights come with a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect.

As someone who has dedicated years to serving the people of Jasper County, I believe public service should be about serving people, not dividing them. I will continue to stand for respectful dialogue, responsible leadership, and a safe community where everyone can participate without fear.

I encourage everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to choose respect over hostility and conversation over confrontation.

There is no place for violence in our community or in our democracy.

Amy Tarr
Jasper County Clerk & Recorder

09/11/2026

September 11, 2001 — A day I will never forget. 🇺🇸

I can still remember where I was and what was happening in my life that morning.

I was newly married. I was preparing for classes at EIU, and my husband was just two days away from leaving for boot camp after signing up to serve our country in the United States Navy.

We were young, newly beginning our life together, making plans for our future. Then, in a matter of moments, everything changed.

I remember the fear. I remember the uncertainty. And I remember watching the events unfold, knowing that my husband would soon be leaving home to serve a country that had just been attacked.

But today, my thoughts aren’t only about what I felt that day. They are about the thousands of innocent people whose lives were taken far too soon. The husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends who never came home. I think about the families who were left behind and whose lives were forever changed.

I think about the firefighters, police officers, first responders and ordinary Americans who ran toward danger while others were trying to escape it. I think about the courage, sacrifice and patriotism that followed.

Twenty-five years later, we must never allow the memories of that day to fade.

We remember the lives lost.
We honor the families left behind.
We remember those who served and sacrificed.
And we will NEVER forget. 🇺🇸

God Bless those we lost, those who served, and the United States of America.

09/10/2026

Want to learn more about Jasper County’s election equipment check the video.

https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/elderly-and-handicapped-voters-notice/

In 2020, Jasper County had an opportunity to use available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to address an important need: updating aging election equipment and investing in technology that would better serve our voters for years to come.

At the time, the County’s election equipment was approximately 25 years old. Technology had changed significantly, so I carefully reviewed the voting systems that had been tested and approved for use in Illinois. Illinois election authorities select their voting systems from equipment that has been tested and certified by the Illinois State Board of Elections.

After evaluating the available options, I chose a system that provided several important benefits.

One of the biggest advantages is the ability to print ballots on demand. Rather than printing large quantities of ballots in advance that may never be used, ballots can be produced as they are needed. This allows the County to better manage supplies and avoid unnecessary printing costs.

The system also provides voters with a private voting experience and a paper ballot that they can personally review before inserting it into the tabulator. Paper ballots provide a physical record of each vote, while the tabulator assists with accurately counting the ballots. Illinois also requires extensive testing of voting equipment before elections and conducts post-election checks to verify accuracy.

Implementing and preparing this type of system does require additional work by election staff. However, I believe that investment of time is worthwhile when it provides voters with privacy, a paper record of their vote, modern technology, and a system designed to meet current election requirements.

The goal was never simply to purchase new equipment. The goal was to make a responsible long-term investment in our elections, protect taxpayer resources, and provide Jasper County voters with a secure, private, and reliable voting experience.

09/02/2026

Would you like an Amy Tarr campaign sign in your yard? We’ll be out placing signs throughout Jasper County—and I’d be honored to have one in your yard!

Let me know you’d like a sign, send me a message and I’ll make arrangements to get one to you.

I’m asking for your vote, your support, and your help in spreading the word.

08/10/2026

Jasper County voters who did not return this letter when it was mailed two years ago will be receiving this mandated letter again. This letter is an application to vote by mail at the next election, to choose permanent vote-by-mail status, or to opt out. If you choose to opt out, that does not mean you cannot change your choice and request a vote-by-mail ballot in the future.

Please take a moment to complete the letter and return it to the County Clerk’s Office. If you are already out running errands, going to the doctor, transporting kids, or attending church, there is a convenient drop-off located on the side of the County Building’s drive-up area where you can return your completed letter.

Sending these letters is a significant expense to the County Clerk’s budget. I would like to help save our taxpayers money whenever possible. If you do not wish to vote by mail, please complete the letter to opt out and return it to the County Clerk’s Office.

Thank you for taking the time to complete and return the letter. Your help is appreciated!

07/23/2026

I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible teamwork and effort that went into removing the books from the courthouse attic.

On Friday morning, Tom Matson (Assessor), Clinton Bigard (Treasurer), Board Member AC Pickens, and I (Amy Tarr, County Clerk) tackled what turned out to be a dirty, dusty, and physically demanding job. Tom and Clinton first cut an opening in the courthouse ceiling so the books could be lowered from the attic. Starting in the morning, they took turns carrying each book to the opening and carefully dropping them onto a mattress pad below.

As the books came down, I stacked them on the courtroom benches while also helping AC load carts. AC hauled the books out to the trailer and unloaded them until he had to leave. After every book had been removed from the attic, and we had taken only one short break to cool off and hydrate. Tom, Clinton, and I unloaded the books that had been loaded into the trailer.

The work didn’t stop there. Over the weekend, Clinton loaded the remaining books from the courtroom benches, and on Monday morning, he and Tom unloaded the rest.

It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was important work. It took teamwork, determination, and a willingness to roll up our sleeves. I’m proud of what we accomplished together and grateful to Tom, Clinton, and AC for their hard work and dedication.

07/03/2026

Make sure you and your family come out to Ste. Marie today and celebrate our country’s 250th Birthday!

Reelect Amy Ochs Tarr Jasper County Clerk and Recorder

09/24/2026

09/22/2026

09/17/2026

09/13/2026

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

09/02/2026

08/10/2026

07/23/2026

07/03/2026

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