Early voting opens Tuesday

It’s time to vote.

While election day is a month from today, voters in Jay County can begin going to the polls Tuesday to vote in races ranging from county-level offices to governor to president.

Early voting in Jay County begins Tuesday and runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the voting room at Jay County Courthouse. Early voting will also be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays Oct. 24 and 31.

Nearly 3,100 Jay County residents — 38 percent of those who voted — cast their ballots early in the 2016 general election. Jay County clerk Jon Eads recommended that those who want to vote by mail do so early in order to make sure ballots arrive back at the clerk’s office by the noon Nov. 3 deadline.

Early voting numbers — both mail and in-person — are expected to be up this year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but Eads said he’s not concerned about issues with voting on Election Day. He said the county will be taking the same precautions it took during the June primary, including mask wearing, social distancing, making hand sanitizer available and cleaning.

“I think voting in person, if the person feels comfortable going out in public … they’ll be fine,” said Eads, noting that a traveling board is available to those who are homebound.

He added that the response to his officer’s outreach to find additional poll workers has been strong and that he expects to be fully staffed.

The presidential election highlights the ballot, with incumbent Republican Donald Trump seeking a second term in office as he takes on Democrat Joe Biden, the former vice president. Also, 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 state level, there is a three-way race for governor with incumbent Republican Eric Holcomb facing challenges from Democrat Woody Myers and Libertarian Donald G. Rainwater II. For District 33 state representative, incumbent Republican J.D. Prescott is running for his second term in office against Democrat Julie Snyder.

There are three contested races — commissioner of the south district, school board and county council — at the county level.

Republican Brian McGalliard and independent Bruce Counterman are squaring off for the south district commissioner seat.

They are looking to replace Republican Chuck Huffman, who announced in December that he would to run for re-election.

A pair of former Jay School Corporation employees — Vickie Reitz and Ryan Wellman — are running for the Jay School Board District 6 seat currently held by Krista Muhlenkamp, who chose not to seek a second term. Both rural Bryant residents, Reitz worked for Jay Schools for more than 40 years and retired as director of guidance while Wellman spent about seven years in computer technology support.

Five candidates are squaring off for the three at-large seats up for election on Jay County Council. The field is made up of incumbent Republican Jeanne Houchins, Democrats Josh Gibson and Judy Aker, and Republicans Ray Newton and Matt Minnich. Incumbent Republican Cindy Newton lost a four-way race in the primary while incumbent Democrat Gary Theurer did not file to run for another term.

A list of local Republicans — Michael Brewster for coroner, Brad Daniels for surveyor, Paula Miller for treasurer and Eads for clerk — are uncontested for re-election. Also uncontested for the GOP are newcomers Rex Journay for commissioner representing the north district and Gail Dues for superior court judge after they knocked off incumbents Mike Leonhard and Max Ludy, respectively, in the primaries.