The Sunday before election day, I wrote a piece on my blog, once again making the case that I believe every vote is precious in every election, but low voter turnout elections present a special opportunity for those heading to the polls. With fewer votes cast, each vote tallied has even more significance.
The 2018 Delaware Township Board Republican primary election provides a specific case in point.
Township government is the most local, the smallest form of government under Indiana law. Townships have several responsibilities – among the major ones are providing fire and emergency services, supporting poor relief and managing some cemeteries.
Township trustees are the administrators, with the township boards providing oversight, including budget decisions.
The City of Fishers straddles two townships, Delaware to the west and Fall Creek to the east.
In the Republican primary election for Delaware Township Board, David Giffel defeated incumbent board member Rich Fain by 3 votes. Giffel received 1,173 votes, Fain 1,170. If you voted in that election, the ballot you cast had a huge impact on who will represent you on this township board.
Speaking of the Delaware Township board election, Democrats had a primary contest, a rare local occurrence. There were four Democrats seeking 3 slots to run in November. The one Democratic candidate that failed to make the cut was Kent Nelson.
One Hamilton County Council race that was very close came in District 1, which takes in part of Fishers’ west end. Incumbent Councilman Fred Glynn defeated Sue Maki by 139 votes out of 7,995 votes cast in that race, meaning Glynn won by just over 1% of the vote. The final count showed Glynn with a total of 4,067, Maki with 3,928.
My congratulations go to all the winners and a great deal of appreciation goes to all candidates, even the losers. Not everyone can win in competitive elections, but it is the competitive elections that continue to keep our democracy thriving.
Just under 19% of all registered voters chose to cast ballots in this primary election. If you use the eligible voters pool the percentage is even smaller.
The next time a primary election comes around, consider voting. There are close contests, and you can make the difference.