> SOUTHERN INDIANA —
Strong turnout was expected in both Clark and Floyd counties for the General Election and Hoosiers turned out in droves to cast their ballots for president, governor, senator, as well as a number of local races.
But, it was down somewhat from the 2008 presidential election.
Clark County Clerk Barbara Bratcher-Haas said it was the heaviest voter turnout that she has seen since she has served as clerk.
“There’s lines everywhere,” she said.
Despite the perception the voter turnout in the 2008 election, the last presidential election, saw Clark County voter turnout slightly higher at 69 percent. Of 80,521 registered voters, 55,958 people cast their ballots and 13 percent of which voted absentee.
In the 2012 general election 53.9 percent of registered voters, or 47,806 of 88,631 registered voters, cast a ballot. A total of 6,723 of those ballots were absentee.
For Floyd County the numbers were similar, with 2008’s figures slightly higher. Voter turnout reached 65 percent in 2008 with 37,254 people casting ballots out of 57,614 registered voters. Absentee votes accounted for 19 percent of the total voters. In 2012 turnout among registered voters in Floyd County totaled 63.5 percent, with 35,819 people casting votes.
There were also several issues with Clark County returning their vote totals, including delays for some waiting in lines for ballots.
“Rock Creek — in Sellersburg — ran out of ballot s and before we got there [with more ballots] they were lined the length of the gym four times,” Bratcher-Haas said.
The Jeffersonville High School polling location also experienced a temporary power outage.
When the ballots were finally returned to the Clark County Government Building, issues stalled vote totals from being counted because there were technical difficulties with the machine that reads the tapes to tabulate the votes from each precinct.
The final vote totals from the county were returned at 11:05 p.m.
Election 2012
Voter turnout strong, but down from 2008 numbers
- Election 2012
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Greater Clark cancels contract of Charlestown teacher facing drug charges
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Ritz supporters turn back to social media to reach reluctant GOP lawmakers
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New state superintendent may face limit on power
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Indiana House leader pledges no abuse of super majority power
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Turnout led to big Election Day problems in Clark County
Large voter turnout, ballot shortages and training issues led to long lines and late tabulations on Election Day in Clark County, according to the county clerk.
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Pence promises to go forward with education overhaul, tax cut pledge
Pence dodged some of the more pointed questions about Bennett, saying he’d leave to the press to speculate about the reasons for Bennett’s loss.
But he also rejected the notion that Bennett’s ouster at the hands of Democrat Glenda Ritz was a sign that voters rejected the sweeping changes in education, which include vouchers for private schools, merit pay for teachers and more high-stakes testing for students. -
Davisson retains Statehouse seat
In District 73, final totals were not available on election night, but incumbent Republican Steve Davisson was able to defeat Democratic challenger Sandra Blanton with 13,354 votes, or 54 percent, to 11,159 votes, or 46 percent.
- Obama bets electorate matches 2008 — and wins
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Republicans take control of Floyd County Council
Republicans gained control of the council by winning two of the three At-large seats. The council is now made up of five Republicans and two Democrats.
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Voter turnout strong, but down from 2008 numbers
In the 2012 general election 53.9 percent of registered voters, or 47,806 of 88,631 registered voters, cast a ballot. A total of 6,723 of those ballots were absentee.
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