Twenty-six days from now marks an important deadline. Oct. 7 is the final day to register to vote or to transfer registration for the fall election.
That’s important for several reasons.
The first day a voter may cast an absentee ballot in the office of the Bartholomew County Clerk is Oct. 8. Voters may cast a ballot in such a manner until noon Nov. 4.
This year’s municipal election is Nov. 5, with voting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
So, if you don’t register you can’t vote.
And, there is good reason to want to vote.
Every Columbus City Council seat is up for election, and all the races are contested. Most feature one Democrat and one Republican candidate squaring off. Those, as they appear on the ballot, are:
- District 2: Republican Jim Hartsook and Democratic incumbent Elaine Wagner
- District 3: Republican incumbent David Bush and Democrat Katea Ravega
- District 4: Republican incumbent Frank Miller and Democrat Michael Schoumacher
- District 5: Republican incumbent Tim Shuffett and Democrat Ross Thomas
However, the District 1 and at-large races feature larger fields of candidates. Republican incumbent Dascal Bunch faces challenges from Democrat Jerone Wood and independent Michael Kinder in the District 1 race. Four candidates are in the at-large race, of which two will be elected: Republican incumbent Laurie Booher, Republican Josh Burnett, Democratic incumbent Tom Dell and Democrat Grace Kestler.
Voters have a choice about which candidate in their district and which at-large candidates they want to support with their vote. It’s an important choice.
Why?
Because the city council represents the check on the mayor and controls the city’s purse strings. The mayor sets the vision for the city, but the council must approve expenditures that make the vision reality.
To those who have already registered to vote, we commend you.
To those who have not, there’s still time.
The Voter Registration office within the Bartholomew County Clerk’s office makes the process easy, whether in person or online.
For information on voter registration and qualifications, visit bartholomew.in.gov/clerk.html#voter-registration-information, or call 812-379-1604.
