Early voting ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election runs until noon Nov. 2 with contested races on Tippecanoe County ballots for U.S. House, Indiana General Assembly seats, Tippecanoe County commissioner and Tippecanoe County Council seats, township positions and school boards.
Here’s a look at your early polling options, vote centers open on Election Day and Q&As with candidates in contested races on Tippecanoe County ballots.
CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION/YOUR BALLOT
To check your voter registration and to see candidates and public questions that will be on your specific ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s portal at www.indianavoters.com.
EARLY VOTING
Here’s a schedule for early voting sites in Tippecanoe County in the week ahead of Election Day:
Tuesday, Oct. 27-Friday, Oct. 30
Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St. in Lafayette. Hours 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette. Hours: Noon-6 p.m.
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette. Hours: Noon-6 p.m.
Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South, Lafayette. Hours: Noon-6 p.m.
John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette. Hours: Noon-6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St. in Lafayette. Hours 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South, Lafayette. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette. Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nov. 2
Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette. Hours: 8 a.m.-noon.
ELECTION DAY VOTE CENTERS
Voting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, will be 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Registered voters in Tippecanoe County may choose any of these sites.
Lafayette
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road
Lafayette Community Church of the Nazarene, 3801 Union St
The Grove Covenant Church, 3600 S. Ninth St.
Tippecanoe County Historical Association History Center, 522 Columbia St.
Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South
Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South
Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Ave.
West Lafayette
Faith West Community Center, 1920 Northwestern Ave.
Córdova Recreation Center, 355 N. Martin Jischke Drive
Connection Point Church, 2541 Cumberland Ave.
John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road
Outside Lafayette/West Lafayette
Shadeland Town Hall, 2485 Indiana 25 West, Shadeland
Tippecanoe Township Volunteer Fire Station No. 2, 448 W. County Road 650 North, West Lafayette
Sheffield Township Fire Station, 285 Market St., Dayton
Battle Ground Fire Station, 112 North St., Battle Ground
ON THE BALLOT
Here are candidates who will be on Tippecanoe County ballots in the Nov. 3 general election. (* = incumbent)
Congress
U.S. House, District 4: Jim Baird*, R; Drew Cox, D.
Indiana General Assembly
House District 13: Matt Commons*, R; Brenna Geswein, D; Ben Davis, Socialist
House District 26: Chris Campbell*, D; Magdalaine Davis, R
House District 27: Sheila Klinker*, D; Tracy Brown, R
House District 38: Heath VanNatter*, R; and Nate Stout, D
House District 41: Mark Genda*, R; Jackson Hayes, D
Senate District 22: Ron Alting*, R; Natasha Baker, D
Senate District 23: Spencer Deery*, R; David Sanders, D; Joshua Brant, independent
State offices
Secretary of State: Beau Bayh, D; Max Engling, R; Lauri Schillings, Libertarian; Greg Ballard, Lincoln Party
State auditor: Jessica Bailey, D; Elise Nieshalla, R; John Schick, Libertarian
State treasurer: Coumba Kebe, D; Daniel Elliott*, R
Tippecanoe County
Commissioner, District 1: Julie Roush, R; Andrea Burniske, D
County Council, District 1: Ben Murray*, D; Trent Richter, R
County Council, District 2: Jody Hamilton*, R
County Council, District 3: Lynn Beck, R
County Council, District 4: Lisa Dullum*, D
County Clerk: Carrie Sanders, R; Karan Benner, D
Assessor: Anthony Hustedt-Mai, R; Kaitlyn Butler, D
Auditor: Jennifer Weston*, R; Eric Grossman, D
Recorder: Kristy Martin*, R; Monica Casanova, D
Prosecutor: Jason Biss, R
Judge, Superior Court 1: Kevin McDaniel*, R
Judge, Superior Court 2: Sarah Wyatt, R
Judge, Superior Court 4: Matt Sandy*, R
Judge, Superior Court 5: Kristen McVey*, R
Judge, Superior Court 7: Dan Moore*, R
School boards
Lafayette School Corp.: District A, Gary Mueller; District B, Brent Clemenz*; District D, Oscar Trujillo Jr.* (all non-partisan)
Tippecanoe School Corp.: District 1, Holly Keckler*; District 2, Josh Loggins*; District 3, William Sondgerath* (all non-partisan)
West Lafayette Community School Corp. (vote for 3): Maria Koliantz, Dacia Mumford*, John Robinson and Laurence Wang* (all non-partisan)
Township offices
Fairfield Township trustee: Ted Hardesty, D; Ray Williams, R
Fairfield Township board (vote for 3): Jessica Holsinger, Amy Paget and Susan Schechter*, D; Perry Barbee and Justice Amos, R
Jackson Township trustee: James Stafford, R
Jackson Township board (vote for 3): Christian Gamble, Tami Greer Minniear and Christine Wise*, R
Lauramie Township trustee: Harold Tull, R
Lauramie Township board (vote for 3): Butch Hammond, D; Jeffery Tull Jr.*, Hal Graham and Joe Sturm*, R
Perry Township trustee: Frank Cedarquist*, R
Perry Township board (vote for 3): Greg Brown*, Joseph Daubenmier* and Dan Huff, R
Randolph Township trustee: Jeanne Benjamin*, R
Randolph Township board (vote for 3): Fred Inskeep*, Natalie Kanaby* and William Kitterman*, R
Sheffield Township trustee: Pamela Crum*, R
Sheffield Township board (vote for 3): Jerry Arvin*, Jane Coleman* and Terry Thayer, R
Shelby Township trustee: Treeva Sarles, R
Shelby Township board (vote for 3): Susan Rowe, D; Heather Beasley, Steve Lange* and Donald Nesbitt*, R
Tippecanoe Township trustee: Bill Jones*, R; Holden Mugford, D
Tippecanoe Township board: John Muller, Barbara Whitlock and Dean Whitlock, D; Jim Fields*, Dan Haan* and Sam Richardson*, R
Union Township trustee: Jo Ritchie*, R
Union Township board (vote for 3): Mary Grace Gish*, Steve Plantenga* and Paul Sietsma*, R
Wabash Township trustee: Angel Valentin*, D; John W. Wilson, R
Wabash Township board (vote for 3): Ian Pytlarz*, David Tate* and Briton Weise, D; Frank Hannan, Eric Hoppenjans and Jeffery Stefancic, R
Washington Township trustee: Karen Cadle, R
Washington Township board (vote for 3): Tom Davidson*, Nate Hofmann* and Kevin Riggenbach, R
Wayne Township trustee: Norman Hayman*, R
Wayne Township board (vote for 3): Larry Guentert, D; Mark Christian*, Phil Katter* and Pam Rosen, R
Wea Township trustee: Alfonso Salazar Jr., D; Alan Williams, R
Wea Township board (vote for 3): Dennise Grater, Talitha Huber and Jesse Washburn, D; Andrea Moore*, Susan Pfeifer and Aaron Slagel*, R
Towns
Dayton town clerk-treasurer: Stephen Parks, independent
Dayton Town Council: Steven Schuhle*, Marc Buhrmester*, Vickie Beavers, Robert Hainje and Mike Harris, independent
Otterbein clerk-treasurer: Deandra Pritchett, R
Otterbein Town Council: Jackey Apache* and Craig Martin*, R
Shadeland Town Council: Ken Stacy, D; Tim Balensiefer*, David Downey* and David Vanderkleed*, R
Ballot questions
West Lafayette Community School Corp. property tax referendum: “Shall West Lafayette Community School Corporation increase property taxes paid to the school corporation for no more than eight (8) years for the purpose of funding academic programming and operating expenditures and sustaining educational and operational stability in response to reductions in property tax revenue by imposing a property tax rate that does not exceed $0.5706 and results in a maximum annual amount that does not exceed $16,100,000. If this operating referendum public question is approved by the voters, for a median residence of $350,000, the property’s annual property tax bill would increase by $956 per year. The most recent operating referendum public question proposed by the school corporation was held in 2023 and passed.”
Public question No. 1 (statewide): “Currently, under the Constitution of the State of Indiana, a person charged with murder or treason is not entitled to be released on bail if the proof is evident or the presumption strong. Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to provide that a person charged with an offense other than murder or treason is not entitled to bail if: (1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community. (This question concerns Article 1, Section 17 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana.)”
Public question No. 2 (statewide): “Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to permit the judge of a city or town court to reside in: (1) the county in which the court is located; or (2) the bordering county closest to the city or town in which the court is located? (This question concerns Article 6, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana.)”
CANDIDATE Q&AS
Based in Lafayette asked a series of questions and gathered bios of candidates in contested races that will be on Tippecanoe County ballots.
U.S. House, 4th District
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, seeking a fifth term in Congress, will face Democrat Drew Cox on the November ballot in Indiana’s 4th District. The 4th District takes in much of west-central Indiana, including Tippecanoe and surrounding counties.
Indiana Senate, District 22
State Sen. Ron Alting, a Republican on the ballot for an eighth term, faces Democrat Natasha Baker, a teacher from Battle Ground, in Indiana Senate District 22. In October, Alting, facing allegations of shoplifting and admitting “concerning changes” in his cognitive function, announced he planned to resign if he wins the general election Nov. 3. That would trigger a caucus of Republican precinct committee men and women across a district that includes Lafayette, an eastern portion of Tippecanoe County and all of Carroll County.
Indiana Senate, District 23
State Sen. Spencer Deery, after prevailing in an extended recount in the May Republican primary, faces a rematch from the 2022 general election with Democrat David Sanders, along with independent candidate Joshua Brant in Senate District 23. Indiana Senate District 23 includes six counties, including parts of Tippecanoe and Montgomery counties, and all of Fountain, Warren, Parke and Vermillion counties.
Indiana House, District 13
State Rep. Matt Commons, a high school teacher and first term Republican in the Indiana House, faces Democratic candidate Brenna Geswein and Socialist Ben Davis for the Indiana House District 13 seat. The district includes a large part of southern and northern Tippecanoe County, along with all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton and White counties.
Indiana House, District 26
State Rep. Chris Campbell, a West Lafayette Democrat, is looking for her fifth two-year term in Indiana House District 26, challenged by West Lafayette Republican Magdalaine Davis. House District 26 covers West Lafayette and a section west of the city to the Tippecanoe County line.
Indiana House, District 27
State Rep. Sheila Klinker, a Lafayette Democrat first elected to the Indiana House in 1982, faces a challenge from Republican Tracy Brown, a Tippecanoe County commission and former county sheriff, in House District 27. Indiana House District 27 includes the northern portions of Lafayette, and parts of Tippecanoe County.
Indiana House, District 38
State Rep. Heath VanNatter, a Howard County Republican first elected in 2010, faces Democratic candidate Nate Stout in the Nov. 3 election in Indiana House District 38. The district includes the northeastern portion of Tippecanoe County, along with all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and portions of Cass, Clinton and Howard counties.
Indiana House, District 41
State Rep. Mark Genda, a Republican from Frankfort first elected to the General Assembly in 2022, faces Democrat Jackson Hayes in Indiana House District 41. The district includes a large part of southeastern Tippecanoe County, along with parts of Clinton and Boone counties.
Tippecanoe County commissioner, District 1
Republican County Clerk Julie Roush and Democratic candidate Andrea Burniske face each other for the Tippecanoe County commissioner District 1 seat, now held by commissioner Tracy Brown. Commissioner candidates run in districts according to where they live, but voters across the county will have this race on their ballots.
Tippecanoe County Council, District 1
Only one for four Tippecanoe County Council seats on the Nov. 3 ballot is being contested, with Republican Trent Richter challenging incumbent Democrat Ben Murray. Candidates, including two incumbents, are running unopposed in the three other districts on the ballot, including: District 2: Incumbent Republican Jody Hamilton; District 3: Republican Lynn Beck, who is running to replace council member Kathy Vernon; and District 4: Democratic incumbent Lisa Dullum. Council members are selected by voters in their districts, so not every voter in the county will see county council on their ballots. District 1 includes much of Lafayette and some surrounding areas.
Tippecanoe County clerk
Republican Carrie Sanders and Democrat Karan Benner face each other to be Tippecanoe County’s next county clerk, replacing Republican Julie Roush.
Tippecanoe County auditor
Incumbent Tippecanoe County Auditor Jennifer Weston, a Republican, is being challenged by Democratic candidate Eric Grossman, the county’s current assessor.
Tippecanoe County assessor
Democrat Kaitlyn Butler faces Republican Anthony Hustedt-Mai in the Nov. 3 election to replace County Assessor Eric Grossman.
Tippecanoe County recorder
Incumbent Tippecanoe County Recorder Kristy Martin is being challenged by Democratic candidate Monica Casanova, the current Fairfield Township trustee.
West Lafayette school board
Four candidates – including incumbents Dacia Mumford and Laurence Wang, along with Maria Koliantz and John Robinson – will be on the ballot, running for three at-large seats on the West Lafayette school board.
Fairfield Township trustee
Democrat Ted Hardesty and Republican Ray Williams are competing to replace Fairfield Township Trustee Monica Casanova, who is running for Tippecanoe County recorder.
Tippecanoe Township trustee
Republican Bill Jones, Tippecanoe Township trustee for the past 20 years, is being challenged by Democratic candidate Holden Mugford.
Wabash Township trustee
Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentin, a West Lafayette Democrat running for a second four-year term, faces Republican John Wilson in the Nov. 3 election.
Wea Township trustee
Alan Williams, a Republican who beat incumbent Jim Slaven in the primary, faces Democratic candidate Alfonso Salazar Jr. for Wea Township trustee.
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"For I am a Bear of Very Little Brain and long words Bother me," it was useful to read about the ACLU's view of Public Question 1 as this started my ballot with a bang.
https://www.aclu-in.org/campaigns-initiatives/presumption-of-innocence-is-on-the-ballot-this-november-public-question-1/