VIGO Co., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The stakes are high with November’s election, and Vigo county officials are making sure Election Day goes off without a hitch.
With a mayoral race, a casino referendum, and a possible tax referendum on this year’s ballot Vigo county voting officials believe a mock election is the best way to get ahead.
Earlier this month, Indiana House Bill 560 passed, adding an extra step to the voting process.
“They’re going to have a Democrat and Republican initial on the back of their ballot,” said Vigo County Clerk Brad Newman.
Unlike the past early votes won’t be counted until Election Day, which gave the Vigo County Clerk’s Office the idea to hold a mock election Wednesday.
“We wanted to see what kind of time that adds, see what kind of flow process that adds and we wanted to make it more efficient. We want to encourage voters and make it easy as possible,” Newman said.
With the potential for a longer workflow, voters may have to wait longer for results.
“We may not have the results on election day until late in the evening, if not the next day,” Newman added.
Also, a large turnout is expected this year.
“This is going to be a unique election for us in Vigo County because of the fact we have the city municipal elections going on. But we’re also going to have the casino vote,” he said.
Which is why Newman said voters can help ease the process in an important way.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to vote early from here on out. Obviously it takes a lot of the strain off of election day when a lot of people have voted early,” he said.
In the last municipal election in 2015, 8,434 voters came out to the polls. Brad Newman says hopes to see at least 15,000-20,000 voters come out in November.
For those who want to volunteer by working the polls, a test will be required at the end of training. All volunteers must pass with a score of at least 70%.
Click here to find your polling place and other information on November’s election.
