Andy East | The Republic
TURNOUT for early in-person voting for the May 3 primary continues to outpace turnout from four years ago as officials prepare for what they expect to be a busy final week of early voting.
As of Thursday, 817 Bartholomew County voters had cast ballots in person at the former JC Penney store at NexusPark, 2380 25th St., compared to just over 460 at the same point in the 2018 midterm primary, according to figures from the Bartholomew County Clerk’s Office.
Additionally, 958 voters requested absentee-by-mail ballots, compared to just 266 in 2018. As of Thursday, 324 absentee-by-mail ballots had been returned.
“We’re definitely seeing a trend of more folks voting early,” said Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz. “…And I expect (this coming) week to be very busy. Typically, the last week is very busy. But I’ve also heard rumors that a lot of people are waiting to vote on Election Day. So, we may see quite a bit of turnout on Election Day as well.”
So far, voting has proceeded without any incidents or issues, Lentz said. Currently, there are seven voting machines in operation at NexusPark.
Early in-person voting will continue at NexusPark Monday to Friday this week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon on May 2. Early voting also will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Governmental Office Building, 440 Third St.
The deadline for the bipartisan Bartholomew County Election Board to receive an absentee-by-mail ballot is 6 p.m. on Election Day, though the deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot has already passed.
In the past, election officials have urged people who intend to return their ballots by mail to plan ahead in case of delays with the U.S. Postal Service.
Absentee-by-mail ballots also can be returned in person at the Bartholomew County Courthouse, 234 Washington St., election officials said.
Voters can call the Bartholomew County Clerk’s office at 812-379-1604 or go to indianavoters.in.gov, where you can also check your voter registration and see who is on your ballot.
But because it is a primary, voters must select the Republican ballot or Democratic ballot. It is not possible to vote for candidates in both parties.
This year, there are several contested races on the Republican ticket.
Indiana Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, is being challenged by Bartholomew County Prosecutor William “Bill” Nash for the GOP nomination for state House District 59.
Lindsey Holden-Kay and Joshua K. Scherschel are seeking the Republican nomination for Bartholomew County Prosecutor.
Three people — incumbent Scott Bonnell, Dave London and Greg Patterson — are seeking the GOP nomination for the Bartholomew County Council District 1 seat.
Incumbent Bartholomew County Council President Greg Duke is being challenged by Leah Beyer for the Republican nomination for the Bartholomew County Council District 2 seat.
Derick Olson is challenging incumbent Mark Gorbett for the Bartholomew County Council District 3 seat.
Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, is being challenged by Johnson County resident James Dean Alspach for the Republican nomination for Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District.
There are fewer contested races on the Democratic ticket.
Two people — Cynthia “Cinde” Wirth and George Thomas Holland — are seeking the Democratic nomination for Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District.
Local officials are hopeful that turnout will be high, with several contested races in the primary and both major parties saying their bases are energized.
“I just think more and more people are realizing that it has become a voting season rather than a voting day,” Lentz said. “I think people appreciate the convenience of being able to vote in person on the machine prior to Election Day. …I think more and more people are taking advantage of that opportunity.”
