Early voting will begin today at the Bartholomew County Courthouse, with just a few weeks until the Nov. 5 municipal election.
Last April, only seven ballots were cast on the first day of early voting for the primary, Bartholomew County Elections Supervisor Shari Lentz said. And in the city elections of both 2011 and 2015, fewer than 20 ballots were cast on the first day of early voting, said Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps.
“So if we can get 20 on the first day, we’d be doing good,” Lentz said.
Residents are reminded that if you vote a straight-party ticket, the at-large candidates in your party won’t get your vote, Phelps said.
“Voters must manually go down the ballot and make their choices on the at-large seats,” said Phelps, who emphasized the requirement is part of a four-year-old state law.
Starting today, early voting will be at the Bartholomew County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 25. From Monday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Nov. 1st, ballots may also be cast at Donner Center between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., as well as at the courthouse.
On Saturday, Nov 2, early voting will take place at both the courthouse and Donner Center from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
On Monday, Nov. 4, early ballots will be accepted at the courthouse only from 8 a.m. until noon. Eight different vote centers in Columbus will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
When casting early ballots, voters will need a government-issued identification card, such as a driver’s license or passport, Lentz said.
Since only Columbus residents can vote in a city election, turnout will naturally be substantially lower when compared to a presidential election, Lentz said. Bartholomew County had a 16.44% voter turnout in 2015 — the lowest in several of the past municipal elections, Phelps said.
Most political observers believe the lack of an 2015 Democratic opponent for current-Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop discouraged Democrats and independents from casting ballots four years ago, he said. And since Lienhoop is unopposed again this year, it’s possible voter turnout could again be unusually low, Phelps said.
But then again, maybe not.
All five city council district races, as well as the at-large council seats, are contested this year, which Phelps sees as a very positive development.
“That means more signage, more campaigning, and more door-hangars,” Phelps said. “All of that gets people to realize an election is going on.”
Another positive sign is that 90 of the 241 requested mail-in absentee ballots have already been returned, Lentz said.
It’s also possible the enthusiasm and excitement of the early stages of the 2020 presidential race could trickle down a bit to the 2019 municipal election, Phelps said.
Although the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary won’t take place until February, Phelps said the 2020 campaign is already here.
“It’s in the news every day, so it could inspire loyalists in each party to come out this fall,” he said.
While early voter turnout will likely remain low for the next three weeks, Phelps anticipates a surge when Donner Center begins accepting early voters on Oct. 28.
The record number of early voters in one day during this year’s primary was 195 on Thursday, May 2 — five days before the actual primary. But numbers could be higher this fall because some voters avoid casting primary ballots, Phelps said.
“They feel they are being forced to pick a party during a primary,” Phelps said. “Many would rather just cast a ballot in the general election, and vote for the person of their choice.”
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2015: 5,132 ballots cast out of 31,216 eligible voters (16.44%)
2011: 9,997 ballots cast out of 30,183 eligible voters (33.12%)
2007: 6,487 ballots cast out of 29,819 eligible voters (21.74%)
2003: 9,871 ballots cast out of 26,531 eligible voters (37.21%)
1999: 9,009 ballots cast out of 23,897 eligible voters (37.70%)
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Starting today, early voting will take place weekdays at the Bartholomew County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
From Monday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Nov. 1st, ballots can also be cast at Donner Center between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., as well as at the courthouse.
On Saturday, Nov 2, early voting will take place at both the courthouse and Donner Center from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. On Monday, Nov. 4, early ballots will be accepted at the courthouse only from 8 a.m. until noon.
Eight different vote centers in Columbus will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
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