Bring identification to the polls
You can have your say on November 2
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

This election, Ripley County voters will be asked to show proof of who they are when they go to the polls on November 2.

According to information from the election room, voters will need to bring their driver's license or some form of identification when they arrive at the polls. The latest change is not really a change for much of the United States, it's just something that will be implemented in Ripley County and is done to ensure voting accuracy.

Clerk Ginger Bradford noted that no one will be denied their right to vote, but identification is going to be something we'll have to get used to for future elections as rules tighten up.

Upgraded technology will make it possible for residents to stay at home and with a click on the computer screen watch election results as they become available. You can log onto www.ripleycounty.com and then click on election, to watch election results from the comfort of your home. Of course, you're still invited to become a part of watching the results together with others by coming to the courthouse in Versailles, where results will run across television screens on the first floor.

Updated machines, which were all tested to make sure they are in proper working order, will produce results much quicker than in bygone
elections and barring any unforeseen problems, the results should roll in shortly after the polls close at 6:00 p.m.

The polls will be open on Tuesday from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Changes in polling places this election will be that all of Johnson Township voters will need to go to the Tyson Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Versailles and Laughery Township voters in Ward 3-Precincts 1, and 2, will report to the Batesville Public
Library. See list of polling places for all others.

Sometimes questions on the ballot become confusing and voters are not sure about how to vote. On this year's ballot will be Public Question #1, Shall Article 10, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to allow the General Assembly to make certain property exempt from property taxes, including (1) a homeowner's primary residence; (2) personal property used to
produce income; and (3) inventory?

Public Question #2 reads: Shall Article 6, Section 2 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to allow the General Assembly to establish a uniform date for the beginning of the terms of the county offices of clerk of the circuit court, auditor, recorder, treasurer, sheriff, coroner, and surveyor?

Public Question # 3, reads: Shall Article 5, Section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to specify: (1) which state official acts as governor when the office of governor and the office of lieutenant governor are both vacant; and (2) the deadline for the General Assembly to meet when either the House or the Senate cannot assemble a quorum within forty-eight (48) hours after both offices become vacant?

There will also be a question under Judicial Retention asking if Judge John T. Sharpnack should be retained in office.

Each question has a yes or no box to fill in. To find out more about these questions you can go online www.in.gov/sos/elections or you may call 317-232-3939 or email: elections@iec.state.in.us.

Choices voters will have when they exercise their right to vote will be:

· George W. Bush and Dick Cheney (Republican); John F. Kerry and John Edwards (Democrat) or Michael Badnarik and Richard Campagna, (Libertarian), for president and vice president.

· For United States Senator, the choices will be: Marvin Scott, (R); Evan Bayh, (D), or Albert Barger (L).

· Governor and Lieutenant Governor choices will be: Mitch Daniels and Becky Skillman (R); Joe Kernan and Kathy Davis (D); and Kenn Gividen and Elaine Badnarik (L).

· Attorney General choices will be: Steve Carter, (R); Joseph H. Hogsett, (D); and Aaron T. Milewski (L).

· Superintendent of Public Instruction choices are: Suellen Reed (R); Susan Williams (D); and Joe Hauptmann, (L).

· For United States Representative (District 9), choices are: Mike Sodrel (R); Baron Hill (D); and Al Cox (L).

· State Representative (District 67) choices are: Cleo Duncan (R); Christopher A. Holland (D).

· State Representative (District 68) choices are: Robert J. Bischoff (D); and Mike Goodpaster (L).

· State Representative (District 69) choices are: Billy Bright (R); or
Markt Lance Lytle, (D).

Ripley County Offices that are unopposed are: Ginger J. Bradford (R) for Ripley County Clerk; Earline Copeland (R) for Ripley County Treasurer; and Eric Karsteter, (R) for Ripley County Coroner.

Tammy D. Borgman, (R) incumbent recorder for Ripley County is being challenged by Nancy K. Adams, (D).

Choices for Ripley County Commissioner District 2 are: Charles J. (Chuck) Folz, incumbent Republican, challenged by Tim Howder, Democrat.

Ripley County Commissioner District 3, choices are: Lawrence E. Nickell, (R) and Charles E. Cook (D).

You can vote for three of the six candidates for Ripley County Council At-Large. The choices are: Mark Busching (R); Donald E. Dunbar (R); Benjamin W. (Ben) Peetz (R); Harland Delap (D); Ray Doane (D); Ray L. Raney (D).

For the Town of Osgood, choices will be Jeffrey J. Volz (R) or Larry R. Winters (D) for Town Council Member. Tammy Wilhoit (R) is unopposed as the Clerk-Treasurer.

South Ripley School Board member choices will be: Daniel P. Goris or Chris Bradford for District 6; Ronald K. Evans, Vincent N. Horton, Barry D. Lauber, or Jim Samples for District 7; and Randel S. McIntosh is unopposed in District 3.

Batesville Community School Board choices will be Chris R. Lowery and Michael A. Bettice for District 3. (There are two seats and only two candidates)

Sunman-Dearborn School Corporation choices will be: Brandon M. Burress or Paul J. Noble for District 3; Cindie L. Fox or Gregory T. Ritzi for District 4; Randall S. Knueven, Catherine W. Martini, or Jeff Minges for District 6.

Absentee voting has been at an all time high for the county and Clerk Ginger Bradford says she is looking forward to a good turn out at the polls. Whenever she has spoken at various functions throughout the election process, Bradford's words have been, "Just get out and vote!"

Where do I vote?
Polling places for Ripley County residents are as follows:

Adams Township: 1st Precinct, will vote at the Morris Fire House; 2nd Precinct will vote at the Sunman Community Building and 3rd Precinct will vote at the Batesville Knights of Columbus Building.

Brown Township: 1st and 2nd Precincts will vote at the Rosewood Reception Center (formerly the Cross Plains Grade School).

Center Township: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Precincts will vote at the Osgood Town Hall.

Delaware Township: 1st Precinct to vote at the Delaware Community Building.

Franklin Township: 1st and 2nd Precincts will vote at the St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall (Stumpke's Corner), 3rd Precinct will vote at the St. Charles Church, Milan.

Jackson Township: 1st Precinct will vote at the Napoleon Senior Citizen Building.

Johnson Township: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Precincts will vote at the Tyson Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Versailles.

Laughery Township: 1st Precinct will vote at the Coonhunter's Lodge, Batesville; Ward 1-Precinct 1, Ward 1-Precinct 2, and Ward 2-Precinct 1, will all vote at the Knights of Columbus, Batesville; Ward 3-Precinct 1 and Ward 3-Precint 2, will both vote at the Batesville Public Library.

Otter Creek Township: 1st and 2nd Precincts will vote at the Fire Department, Holton.

Shelby Township: 1st and 2nd Precincts will vote at the New Marion Fire Department.

Washington Township: 1st Precinct will vote at the Elrod Community Building; and 2nd Precinct will vote at the St. Charles Church, Milan.