With a full slate of Republicans vying for local offices and Democrat senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton fighting for the hearts and minds of Indiana voters, Decatur County Clerk Janet Chadwell expected to see more ballots cast.
As of Friday morning, 178 voters have made it to the courthouse to vote absentee. That brings the total, with mail-ins, to 302 for this year’s primary, a number Chadwell finds low after two full weeks of open voting.
“I expected more people because of the presidential and gubernatorial races,” she said.
In the last presidential election of 2004, 325 ballots were cast before the polls opened on the first Tuesday of May. Chadwell noted, in that election, Indiana voters didn’t have much of a say in who would be running for president. This year is different.
“It’s the whole idea behind the system, which is to have choices,” Chadwell said.
There are plenty of choices, she noted. Indiana voters can make a difference in which of the two Democrats will likely face Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the November elections as well as which of two Democrats, Jill Long-Thompson or Jim Schellinger, will face Gov. Mitch Daniels on the ballot. On the Republican side, both Commissioner Distrct 1 and 3 seats are up for grabs with two opponents each facing the incumbents as well as a Republican race for Superior Court Judge and Surveyor.
Chadwell encouraged voters to get involved and take advantage of absentee voting, which she described as a quicker, more relaxed way to take part opposed to the possible chaos of election day.
“There are typically no lines, the courthouse is centrally located and if a machine goes down here, we’ve got plenty to back it up,” Chadwell said.
She also noted with a change in the law, a reason for voting absentee is no longer necessary. All a registered voter needs is a current photo id. Hours for absentee voting at the courthouse are from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Friday. There will also be special Saturday sessions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 26 and May 3. The last day to vote absentee is noon on Monday, May 5.
Voters must choose either a Democrat or Republican ticket to cast their ballot and they can only vote once, she added. Through Thursday, 130 voters have cast for the Democrats and 153 have voted Republican. Chadwell noted the rule can keep some people away from the primaries, but she felt now more than ever, people need to come out en masse to do their civic duty.
“A lot of people don’t like to declare their party, so they don’t come in to vote. That could keep voter numbers down,” she said. “Most of them say they’d rather see who gets picked and vote in November, but they have a decision in who is on the ballot this year. It’s like I always say, if you don’t vote you can’t gripe.”
Features
Related Photos
-
Adam Huening
Time to make a decision: Absentee voting currently underway at courthouse
- Features
-
-
Local Volunteer Named "GOTR Coach of the Year"
GREENSBURG - Katy Riester, of Greensburg, was recently named Girls on the Run Coach of the Year for 2011.
-
GES Kind Deed winners
GREENSBURG - In September, the students and staff at Greensburg Elementary School accepted RachelÕs Challenge to change the world through our kind deeds.
-
Decatur County son is Native June
GREENSBURG - Good Fryday ended on a deserted stretch of highway just north of Flagstaff, Ariz.
-
Harlem Globetrotters to visit Batesville
BATESVILLE - The high-flying basketball antics of the historic Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Batesville Jan. 11.
-
Native son lives rock and roll dream
GREENSBURG - Few musicians would point to Thanksgiving as the origin for their dreams of rock-and-roll greatness.
-
club chatter 121411
Country Girls and Guys 4-H
The Country Girls and Guys 4-H Group met at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec.11 at the Kingston Presbyterian Church. -
Events 121411
Local clubs, service groups, fraternal organizations and others are encouraged to send their Coming Events information to the Daily News at news@greensburgdailynews.com or Daily News, PO Box 106, Greensburg, IN 47240.
-
Foundation cookbook available in new locations
The Hospital Foundation has announced that its new cookbook, "Recipes for a Cause," is now available in additional locations for last-minute shoppers.
-
Wenning is Optimist Youth for November
The Greensburg Optimist Club selected South Decatur Senior Danielle Wenning as its Youth of the Month for November.
-
DCMH lends support to Cheer Fund
In honor of the board of trustees and the medical staff, Decatur County Memorial Hospital donated $1,500 to the Daily News Cheer Fund.
- More Features Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
