Vigo County early voters praise convenience, process

Norma Collins was taking advantage of early voting at the Vigo County Annex at midday on Tuesday and enjoying the experience.

"It's a very friendly group here, and they've all been very kind," she said of the poll workers.

Since early voting began Oct. 8, 4,046 votes at been cast at Vigo County polling stations as of Monday, with another 1,838 mail-in ballots received, for a total of 5,257 registered early votes according to numbers from the clerk's office, which are available at www.everyvotevigocounty.com .

"It's been a pretty steady turnout since we opened last Tuesday," said Marilyn Dudley, election inspector at the Annex. "We usually have more of a turnout for the presidential election, so the turnout has been good."

Carol Dunham, election inspector at Haute City Center, agreed.

"The presidential election is a big boost," she said. "The turnout has been great. There's been a lot of people, a lot of first-time voters."

Voters interviewed at all three early voting polling stations — the Annex, Haute City Center and the Meadows shopping center — all agreed that the presidential contest drew them to vote more than the local campaigns.

"It seems like we stand to lose a lot more in the national election than the local if things go wrong," said John Bentley at the Meadows. "If you don't use your voice when you have a chance, then you lose."

Mary Kay Klapko, voting at the Annex with her husband Steve, said they were there for the national election because "We're pretty satisfied with the local people."

Steve said, "We've been here in Vigo County and Terre Haute since 1980. We've always been pretty well versed with the politics that goes on. We don't always vote straight ticket one way or the other; we vote for the best person we think can do the job."

Juan Bullock and Tom Ravellette extolled the convenience of early voting.

"Sometimes I work out of state, and if I'm not in the state when voting goes on, early voting allows me to voice my vote," said Ravellette at the Annex.

At Haute City Center, Bullock added, "Early voting is very easy because a lot of times, the lines get too long when I have time to vote. It's important to vote, because a lot of my ancestors died to [help get me the] vote. So I make sure I do my part."

A number of those interviewed said they had never missed an election from the time they were old enough to vote.

"It's your say," said Ginger Bedford. "We're the only ones who can change the world. We've got the right to vote — there's a lot of countries that don't have that right. In my thought processes, I can't imagine anybody not voting."

"It's very much important," said Beverly Walker, casting her ballot at the Annex with her husband David. "Everybody's got their opinion and it's great that we're able to express it. I wouldn't miss it for nothing.

"If I can't complain when it ain't who I want, I will anyway," she added with a laugh.

"Before I got with her, I missed my first (election), David admitted. "But I've never missed one since."

He added, "I like voting. The only thing I don't like about voting is the electoral college. They say every vote counts, but [not with the electoral college]. They need to get rid of it."

Ashley and Spencer Davenport were doing their civic duty at Haute City Center.

"Everybody's vote matters, especially if you want to see change," Ashley said. "It's my way of showing up and making it count."

Spencer offered, "Getting in early makes it seem the vote counts more. Of course, the national's going to be more important, but what matters most is what happens in you're own back yard."

Both expressed satisfaction with local candidates, current and recent. "With the new mayor, I've noticed things have gotten a lot better since the last election," Spencer said.

"Having a mayor — a young mayor — is a really big change around here," Ashley agreed. "I've been here for eight years, so I'm glad to see Mayor (Brandon) Sakbun do his thing and doing different things."

Early voting continues in Vigo County on Oct. 8 at three locations:

Haute City Center, 3401 U.S. 41, Terre Haute — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday;

Vigo County Annex, 137 Oak St., Terre Haute — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday;

Meadows Shopping Center, 2800 Poplar St., Terre Haute — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The above polling places also will be open Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.

Early voting begins Oct. 29 at the following locations:

The Vigo County School Corp. administration building, 501 W. Olive St., West Terre Haute — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday;

IBEW No. 725, 5675 E. Hulman St., Terre Haute — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday;

Vigo County Solid Waste, 3230 E. Haythorne Ave. — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday;

Operating Engineers Local 841, 6801 U.S. 41 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The following polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5, (as will all of the locations listed above):

Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 157, 8801 E. Milner Ave.;

Maryland Community Church, 4700 Indiana 46;

Pimento Firehouse; 2389 S. Cotton Drive

Vigo County Public Library, 680 Poplar St.

Booker T. Washington Community Center, 1101 S. 13th St.

New Goshen Firehouse, 9113 U.S. 150;

Sandcut Firehouse, 5970 E. Rio Grande Ave.;

Indiana State University Union building, 550 Chestnut St.;

American Legion Post No. 104, 2690 Forth Harrison Road;

National Guard Armory, 3614 Maple Ave.