Mike Wolanin | The Republic Richard Lamborn, right, checks in with election official Sonnie Warnick to cast his ballot on the first day of early voting at NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.
Early voting is off to a faster start than it was during the last municipal election.
Monday was the first day community members could cast votes in person, with polls located at the former Petals and Vine store at NexusPark. As of about 1 p.m., more than 80 individuals had cast votes, said Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz.
“We’re off to a good start,” she said. “It looks like our first day of early voting in 2019 was 57 voters, so we’ve already surpassed that today. So I am very pleased.”
In the 2019 general election, 7,306 out of 29,633 registered voters cast votes — just under 25%. As of Monday, there were 30,527 registered voters in Columbus, though the number could fluctuate in the next few days due to some pending cases, Lentz said.
Only Columbus city residents are eligible to vote in the general municipal election. Offices on the ballot are Columbus mayor, city council races and the city clerk race. Election Day is Nov. 7.
Arlette Cooper-Tinsley, the city’s human resources director, was among those who showed up to vote early. She said that this year’s election is “exciting,” with great candidates and lots of interest from both political parties.
“Mary Ferdon’s my boss, and I’m excited to vote for her,” she added.
Ferdon, the city’s director of administration and community development, is the Republican candidate for mayor. Her opponent is independent Sean Burton.
Charles Boddie and his wife, Tina, were also among the early-voting crowd, as is their habit.
“No congestion, no pressure, no stress,” he said.
“We do not miss an election,” said Tina Boddie. “I cannot complain if I don’t vote.”
According to the Bartholomew County Clerk’s Office, in-person absentee voting will be offered at NexusPark, 2380 25th St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, up until noon on Nov. 6.
Additionally, voting will be available at both NexusPark and the Bartholomew County Government Office Building, 440 Third St., on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The deadline for the Bartholomew County Clerk’s Office to receive a request for an absentee-by-mail ballot is Oct. 26. The bipartisan Bartholomew County Election Board must receive completed absentee-by-mail ballots by 6 p.m. on Election Day.
Applications for absentee-by-mail ballots are available through the clerk’s office, which can be reached at 812-379-1604, or at indianavoters.in.gov, Lentz said.
As of Monday, the clerk’s office had sent out 280 ballots, and 77 had been returned.
Sonnie Warnick, a Republican clerk, said she and her fellow poll workers were “thrilled” by Monday’s steady turnout.
When asked what it’s like working city elections compared to other races, she replied that presidential elections are “wild” and very busy.
“There is not a moment to take a break or breathe,” she said. “And these (city elections) are very casual and really enjoyable.”
