Early voting passes record

Decision day is Tuesday.

Many local voters have already made theirs.

Jay County Clerk’s Office reported that as of early Friday afternoon 4,311 absentee ballots had been cast in the form of early or mail-in voting. The bulk of those — 3,586 — were in-person.

Early voting continues from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday at Jay County Courthouse.

Ballots cast already in Jay County represent more than a third of its registered voters. The total is also a record.

Jay County’s high-water mark for early voting came during the 2016 general election when 3,086 absentee ballots (38 percent) were cast. Early ballots in the 2012 general election came in at 2,348 (29 percent).

The county also saw large amounts of absentee ballots cast in this year’s primary, which was delayed until June with the mail-in option extended to all registered voters because of the coronavirus pandemic. Forty-nine percent of those who voted did so in advance.

On Tuesday, Election Day, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for voters to make their choices on races ranging from county-level offices to president. Mail-in ballots must be turned in to the clerk’s office by noon Tuesday.

Polling sites for Tuesday are as follows:

Bryant Community Center — Wabash and Bearcreek precincts

First Church of the Nazarene — Wayne 7

Jay Community Center — Wayne 1, Wayne 3, Wayne 4, Noble and Madison

Jay County Courthouse — Wayne 2

Jay County Scout Complex — Greene, Jefferson and Pike

Pennville Community Center — Penn

Redkey Faith Ministries — Redkey

Union Chapel Church — Jackson

West Jay Community Center — Dunkirk 1, Dunkirk 3, Knox

Jay County Clerk’s Office will take similar precautions Tuesday as it did at polling sites in June, using shields, masks and gloves to protect poll workers from the spread of COVID-19. It is suggested, but not required, that voters wear a mask when they go to the polls.

The race for president, with incumbent Republican Donald Trump seeking a second term as he faces challenge and former vice president Democrat Joe Biden, highlights the ballot. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, is also seeking his second term in a three-way race against Democrat Woody Myers and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.

Locally, Jay County is guaranteed to have two new commissioners, at least two new county council members and a new school board member selected.

In the contested commissioner race, for the south district seat, Republican Brian McGalliard is taking on independent Bruce Counterman. They’re seeking to fill the seat currently held by Republican Chuck Huffman, who chose not to seek re-election.

Rex Journay, a Republican, is headed to becoming the commissioner from the north district. He’s unopposed after knocking off incumbent Mike Leonhard in the primary.

Five candidates are in the race for the three at-large seats up for election on Jay County Council. The field includes incumbent Republican Jeanne Houchins, fellow Republicans Matt Minnich and Ray Newton and Democrats Josh Gibson and Judy Aker. Incumbent Democrat Gary Theurer chose not to seek another term, and incumbent Republican Cindy Newton lost her seat in the four-way primary race.

The lone contested race for Jay School Board is for the District 6 seat currently held by Krista Muhlenkamp, who chose not to seek a second term. That contest pits Ryan Wellman against Vickie Reitz.

Incumbent school board members Phil Ford and Jason Phillips are running uncontested.

Jay County voters will also get to make their choices for who to send to the statehouse and Congress.

Incumbent Republican J.D. Prescott is running for his second term representing District 33 in the Indiana House against Democrat Julie Snyder. And incumbent Republican Jim Banks is seeking a third term as the U.S. Representative for northeast Indiana, including Jay County, against Democrat Chip Coldiron.

At the local level, Republican incumbents Michael Brewster (coroner), Brad Daniels (surveyor), Paula Miller (treasurer) and Jon Eads (clerk) are all uncontested. Gail Dues, who in June defeated incumbent Max Ludy in the Republican primary for Jay Superior Court Judge, is also uncontested.