MUNCIE, IN — Delaware County’s first use of vote centers — allowing registered voters in the county to cast ballots at any one of 26 polling sites — did not produce a significantly higher turnout for the primary election on Tuesday, May 5.
According to Delaware County Clerk Rick Spangler, Tuesday’s election drew 17.15% of registered voters.
“Everything went smooth other than the weather,” Spangler said. “The weather, I think, maybe kind of turned us down a little bit.”
Those voting on Tuesday encountered both frequent rainfall and somewhat chilly conditions.
Tuesday’s percentage was still better than the turnout in the most recent off-year primary election, in 2022, when 13.71% of Delaware County’s registered voters cast ballots.
Among Tuesday’s local contested races:
Delaware Circuit Court 5 judge: Democrat Amanda Dunnuck, Muncie City Court judge since 2015, won her party’s nomination over Maricel Driscoll, a deputy prosecutor. Dunnuck claimed 67% of votes cast in the race.
Dunnuck’s fall opponent will be Republican Ben Freeman, a local attorney who won 53% of votes cast in a GOP race with Tim Hollems, a juvenile court magistrate.
Circuit Court 5 Judge Thomas Cannon Jr., a Democrat, will retire at year’s end.
Delaware County assessor: Republican Sheri Chaflin claimed more than 52% of votes in her Republican primary race with Adam Covault.
Democrats currently have no assessor’s candidate. The current assessor, James Carmichael, on Tuesday won the GOP nomination for county recorder.
Delaware County commissioner, District 3: Matt Kantz, a Republican county council member, defeated primary opponent Donald Chambers Jr., winning more than 58% of votes cast.
Kantz’s fall opponent is Democrat Ken Mace.
Incumbent commissioner Shannon Henry, a Republican, did not seek re-election.
Delaware County Council, District 1: Incumbent Republican Dan Flanagan was unseated Tuesday by David Williams who drew more than 52% of votes cast.
Williams’ fall opponent will be Democrat Cody York.
Delaware County Council, District 4: Incumbent Republican Jim Mochal, with more than 61% of votes, turned back a challenge from ex-council member Ryan Webb.
The Democratic nominee is Michael Durall.
In local contested Statehouse races:
Indiana Senate District 26: In Delaware County, incumbent Republican Scott Alexander drew more than 77% of votes in his primary race with Kat Nunley-Kritsch.
The district also includes a portion of Randolph County.
Andrew Dale, Delaware County’s Democratic Party chairman, is his party’s nominee for the Senate seat.
Indiana House District 34: Republican Richard Ivy won his party’s nomination over Randall McCallister with 53% of votes.
Muncie City Council member Sara Gullion is the Democratic nominee. The district’s incumbent Democrat, Sue Errington, is not seeking re-election.
Both parties will have a nearly full slate of candidates in Delaware County for the fall election.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Delaware County primary election draws 17% of registered voters
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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