(OOLITIC) – There was misinformation on indianavoters.in.gov that had a few Oolitic residents questioning the ballots in the Oolitic At-Large race. However, the ballots cast on absentee and voting machines at the voting centers have been inspected prior to the election and are correct.
“The information on indianavoters.in.gov says that you can only choose two candidates for the At-Large seats in Oolitic, is incorrect and our office has contacted them to make the necessary changes,” according to Heather dela Cruz Lawrence County Voter Registration. “Although the information is incorrect, on the site the legal ballots we have found no issues and five candidates can be chosen on that ballot,” Cruz added.
“Prior to every election, the machines are tested by the Lawrence County Election Board. As we were required to do three tests this year. V-Stop is the organization that determined which machines had to be pulled and inspected. A representative from Micro-Vote who programs the ballots is on hand along with the Lawrence County Election Board, while we conducted the mock election this year. Then, all machines are zero proofed prior to the election. All machines have passed those inspections,” said Billy Tumey Lawrence County Clerk.
“None of the At-Large Seats, are allowed to vote straight party ticket. You must select the candidate(s) you would like to vote for in those districts,” she added.
In Oolitic since there are no wards, there are only At-Large Candidates to which voters can choose up to five candidates to serve on the Oolitic Town Council.
Billie Tumey showed WBIW the test results of the mock election, along with the zero inspection of the machine. The voter registration office states that indianavoter.com should have the correct information posted over the weekend.
In Oolitic voters will choose a clerk-treasurer with incumbent Jessica Staggs Republican is being challenged by Glenn Gross Citizens Party. And the seven At-Large Candidates include Johnny “ Bob” Dillion, Phillip Hensley, Tangie Jenkins, Bill Kendall, and Dirk Sears as Republican Candidates, and Mary A. Berry, Daniel Brooks and Suzanne Sharp as Citizens Party Candidates.
Early voting continues at the Lawrence County Courthouse and voters can vote in Mitchell at the Emerson Gym in Mitchell tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. So far, a total of 315 voters have cast ballots at the Lawrence County Courthouse as of noon today.
So far, 241 cast ballots for Bedford Municipal Election, Mitchell voters cast 21, and Oolitic voters cast 50 votes. Oolitic Voters can cast ballots on November 2nd from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.
The Voter Registration Office is located on the lower level of the Lawrence County Courthouse.
Voting will continue Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office is closed daily from Noon until 1 p.m. for lunch. Early voting ends November 4th at Noon.
Voters will need to show an Indiana Driver’s License, Indiana I.D. Card, a U.S. Passport or other photo issued by the State of Indiana or U.S. Government.
Early voting will also be held on Saturday, October 26th and November 2nd at the Lawrence County Courthouse and Emerson Gym in Mitchell from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and at Oolitic Town Hall on November 2nd from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
On Election Day voters can vote at any voting center in Lawrence County. Polls will be open on November 5th from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Voting Centers are located at:
- Lawrence County Courthouse
- Parkview Intermediate
- Stalker Elementary
- Mitchell Community Center
- Emerson School Gym on 9th Street
