We have a primary election on May 8th, so I have a couple of thoughts about what we all need to keep in mind.

First, we are electing the people to run on the Republican and Democratic Party tickets in the November general election.  It is critical for you to vote…here’s why.

Because the turnout is so low, your vote holds more value than ever.  I believe a vote is precious no matter how many are cast, but it is a statistical fact that a vote cast in a low-turnout election has more impact on the results.  We have had some very close primary elections in Hamilton County, and a few votes here and there could have changed the results.

Keep that in mind when you are deciding whether or not to head out to the polls Tuesday.

My second thought brings me to the Republican State Senate primary in District 31, where Jim Merritt is the incumbent.  District 31 takes in Lawrence Township and a part of Fishers, Fall Creek Township to be precise.

This past Friday WISH-TV aired a story about Merritt’s primary opponent, Crystal LaMotte, leveling charges that the address shown on his voting record is not his actual residence.  She claims to have hired a private investigation firm to watch the residence listed as Senator Merritt’s and asserts he is not living there.

Jim Merritt responded that he does live there and sleeps there.  He categorically told WISH-TV that he does live within District 31.

My experience covering and watching political campaigns tells me we should all be wary of any charge like this made so close to election day, when it is difficult for the media to sort out such charges.

I do not know Senator Merritt well, but we have talked on a few occasions and he has been a guest on one of my LarryInFishers.com Podcasts.

I would tell GOP primary voters to take all this with a grain of salt.  If Senator Merritt says categorically he does live in District 31, I take him at his word.

I do expect election night to be quite interesting.  With all the state and local offices up for grabs, we will have a better idea where are party politics stand on Wednesday morning.