Early voting will begin Wednesday

Election day is still four weeks away. But the polls will open Wednesday.
Local residents can begin casting their ballots for races ranging from president to county coroner as early voting begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Jay County Courthouse.
Early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 4. The polls will also be open on a couple of Saturdays — from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29 and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 — as well as from 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 7.
The ballot features what has been a contentious race for president between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, as well as Libertarian Gary Johnson, seeking to succeed Barack Obama. Clinton, the former first lady, has represented New York in the U.S. Senate and served as secretary of state while Trump, a businessman and reality television star, is making his first run for office. Johnson is the former governor of New Mexico.
Indiana’s race could have key implications for control of the U.S. Senate as Democrat Evan Bayh and Republican Todd Young seek to replace incumbent Republican Dan Coats, who chose not to run for re-election. Republicans currently hold a 54-45 advantage (with one independent) in the Senate, and the Young/Bayh race is looked at as one of 11 that will determine whether the GOP keeps control or if Democrats are able to wrest it away.
Three candidates — Republican Jim Banks, Democrat Tommy A. Schrader and Libertarian Pepper Snyder — are running for U.S. Representative in Indiana’s third district, which includes Jay County. The winner will replace Republican incumbent Marlin Stutzman, who instead chose to run for U.S. Senate and lost to Young in the GOP primary.
State-level races are highlighted by the battle for governor between Republican Eric Holcomb, Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rex Bell. Gov. Mike Pence had filed to run for a second term, but pulled out of that race when he was selected to be Trump’s running mate.
Other state races include incumbent Democrat Glenda Ritz against Republican Jennifer McCormick for superintendent of public instruction and Democrat Lorenzo Arredondo against Republican Curtis T. Hill Jr. for attorney general.
Incumbent Republican State Rep. Greg Beumer is uncontested for in his bid for re-election in District 33 representing Jay and Randolph counties and part of Delaware County.
Races for county commissioner and Jay School Board highlight the ballot locally, with a pair of contested races for each.
For commissioner, Republican Chuck Huffman and Democrat Ted Champ are vying to replace incumbent Republican Jim Zimmerman, who chose not to run for a third term in the south district. In the north district, former two-term commissioner Republican Mike Leonhard is seeking a return to office as he takes on Democrat Robert Franks Jr. after knocking off incumbent Republican Faron Parr in the May primary.
For school board in District 1, which represents the City of Portland, current school board president Kristi Betts is seeking a second term while facing a challenge from Mitch Waters. In District 6, which represents Wabash, Noble, Pike and Madison townships, Amanda Campbell and Krista Muhlenkamp are each hoping to fill the seat being vacated by Greg Wellman, who chose not to run for a fourth term.
Four candidates are seeking three at-large seats on Jay County Council. Three of them — Republicans Cindy Newton and Jeanne Houchins, and Democrat Gary Theurer — are incumbents while Democrat Michelle McShane is hoping to earn elected office for the first time.
Republican Michael Brewster and Democrat Kurt Compton are running to become Jay County’s next coroner after Brewster defeated incumbent Republican Jason White in the primary. And Republican Jon Eads and Democrat Tony Minch are vying to become the next Jay Circuit Court clerk, as incumbent Republican Ellen Coats was ineligible to seek a third term.
Uncontested candidates for office locally are Phil Ford for the District 4 school board seat, Republican Brad Daniels for county surveyor and Republican Paula Alexander-Miller for county treasurer.
There will also be three questions on the ballot, including whether or not to add an amendment to the Indiana Constitution guaranteeing the right to hunting. It reads as follows: “Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended by adding a Section 39 to Article 1 to provide that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife shall be forever preserved for the public good, subject only to the laws prescribed by the General Assembly and rules prescribed by virtue of the authority of the General Assembly to: (1) promote wildlife conservation and management; and (2) preserve the future of hunting and fishing?”
Other questions will involve whether or not to retain Indiana Court of Appeals judges James S. Kirsch (second district) and Patricia A. Riley (fourth district). Both were named to the court by then-governor Evan Bayh in 1994.