Early voting draws long lines with Election Day in view
Plus, it's Thursday, so it must mean Tim's Picks, five things worth checking out this weekend in Lafayette/West Lafayette
Thanks to today’s sponsor, the Lafayette Master Chorale, presenting Platinum Jubilee, a celebration of the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II and an exploration of the great British choral tradition. From Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, the music of Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Parry, Byrd and Handel has rung in glorious strains over the many years of Britain's enduring voice. Lafayette Master Chorale performs 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 600 Ferry St. For ticket information, check the links below.
EARLY VOTING PICKS UP
On the first day for four Tippecanoe County remote polling places, voting in the first three hours drew long lines, cycling through about a voter a minute at three Lafayette location and one West Lafayette location.
Shortly after noon, the Tippecanoe County elections office sent reinforcements, with additional vote machines, to Faith West Community Center in West Lafayette and Wea Ridge Baptist Church on the southern edge of Lafayette.
“It feels like Election Day,” Juan Ramirez, an election board staff member, said while manning the Wea Ridge polling place Wednesday afternoon. He said lines stretched out of the church and into the parking lot after the polling place opened at noon.
There were reports of hour-plus lines at Faith West. As of 3 p.m., the wait was averaging 50 minutes, according to the election office.
Toni Jackson stopped in at the Wea Ridge Baptist Church polling place after work Wednesday, figuring “today was as good as any.” She hopped back in her car instead.
“I wasn’t in a rush,” Jackson said. “If I need to wait, tomorrow will be better. … I need to get dinner going now.”
Wednesday’s total, according to County Clerk Julie Roush: 2,157 in-person voters at the four remote sites and another at the County Office Building in downtown Lafayette.
That put the total since early voting started Oct. 12 at 9,167 in-person ballots and 1,912 mail-in ballots, Roush said.
Tippecanoe County has 123,845 registered voters this election, according to county figures.
Early voting continues this week, ahead of Election Day, Nov. 8. Here’s a schedule.
Today through Saturday, Nov. 5, noon-6 p.m.:
Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South, Lafayette
Eastside Assembly of God Church, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette
Faith West Community Center, 1920 Northwestern Ave., West Lafayette
Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette.
Today through Friday, Nov. 4: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St.
Saturday, Nov. 5: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St.
Monday, Nov. 7: 8 a.m.-noon, Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St.
FOR MORE ABOUT THE ELECTION:
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Five choice ideas for your weekend in Lafayette/West Lafayette.
“About Time,” opening reception, 6 p.m. Friday, Bindery Artist Studios, 511 Ferry St., Lafayette — Purdue University art and design students will get the experience of showing their work in a downtown gallery when 15 young artists unveil new digital works as part of the Computers in Class, er, class’ show, “About Time.” The pieces will explore past, present and future themes. Also on display will be new works from Shelley Hermes and James Werner.
Holiday Open House, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, Inspired Fire Glass Studio and Gallery, 2124 Indiana 25 West – Get fired up for the holidays when Inspired Fire opens its doors for an afternoon of live glass art demonstrations, raffles and refreshments aimed to ignite your holiday season. With torches burning around 3,000 degrees, the art is as dramatic being made as it when it’s put on display. Longtime glass artist Sharon Owens is a master at taking colorful rods of glass and transforming them into wonderous works of art, right before your eyes.
“Platinum Jubilee” with the Lafayette Master Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 600 Ferry St., Lafayette — Planned long before her Sept. 8 death, Lafayette Master Chorale’s fall concert was to originally pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable 70-year United Kingdom monarchy. Now with an “in memoriam” spin, most of the original program remains intact as artistic director Michael Bennett and his sensational singers will recreate Liz’s coronation from 1952 through its music. Works from Ralph Vaughan Williams, Hubert Parry, Edward Elgar and other English composers will be represented. Long live the queen, through music. $22 in advance, $25 at the door, $10 for students, free for children ages 17 and younger. Tickets.
“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center, Purdue — The ultimate tribute to the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, this elevated concert experience brings a community together with timeless music — "Natural Woman,” “Think” and, of course, “Respect” — that speaks to the complicated human condition, honoring the impassioned and transcendent music of one of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters. The production, hosted at Loeb Playhouse by Purdue Convocations, journeys through Franklin’s courageous life of love, tragedy and triumph. “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” stars a live band, supreme vocalists and a night full of music by one of the greatest artists of all time. $30-$54. Tickets.
The Mound Builders with Ommnus, False Gods and Wizard Fighter, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — In its 14-year history, The Mound Builders somehow get faster, louder and more intense with each passing year. The band is like a heavy metal Benjamin Button. Helping with this eardrum blasting fountain of youth, Mound Builder shows are like metal showcases boasting regional and national talent of various metal sounds — thrash, stoner, doom, death, what have you. Joining Mound Builders this weekend will be Detroit doom duo Ommnus, New York City sludge slingers False Gods and my favorite new-to-me band name of the year, Wizard Fighter, a trio from Indianapolis sure to please any Black Sabbath fan in attendance. $10.
Thanks, again, to Lafayette Master Chorale for sponsoring today edition.
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