Low turnout expected for municipal elections in Delaware County

David Penticuff, Muncie Star Press

September 21, 2023 at 7:19 AM·4 min read

MUNCIE, Ind. − The municipal general election is drawing near as candidates meet at political forums around Muncie as election work by parties and candidates continues in several of the small towns in Delaware County.

Not having a local town election is Yorktown, which is on a different election calendar.

Josh Taulbee, Delaware County voter registration clerk, said Yorktown will have some municipal offices up in 2024, which will be a presidential election year.

He said the county would like to have all the towns voting with Muncie so all the municipalities are elected in the same year and will be working toward that goal.

This year election day is Nov. 7 and early voting starts at the Delaware County Building in downtown Muncie on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Before that time, up until noon on on Tuesday, Oct. 10, citizens can still register to vote in the voter registration office in the county building.

County Clerk Rick Spangler said there is nothing out of the ordinary for this municipal election and he expects a low turnout.

"I think maybe 15%," regarding the numbers of eligible votes who actual cast votes. "And this is among the most important elections."

Spangler said the election of local officials can have the most direct impact on voters.

There is one precinct change this year, according to Taulbee. The location of Precinct 18 has changed from Longfellow Elementary School to the new alternative school, The Crossing, at 2500 N. Elgin St. The school is where the career center for the school district used to be located.

Across the county there are candidates running unopposed. In Muncie, City Judge Amanda C. Dunnuck, an incumbent Democrat, is unopposed. There is also a libertarian on the ballot, Steve L Smith is running for at-large city council where voters choose three candidates. There is a full slate of three Democrats and three Republican also running in that race.

In Daleville. Five Republicans and one Democrat will square off for five spots on town council.

In Eaton there is no one opposed. The candidates include an Independent candidate, Roger D. Wells, as unopposed for council.

In Gaston, Kameron J. Petro, a Republican, will face Brett Ellison, a Democrat, in the race for town council District 3.

In Albany, Randy Dunnuck, a Democrat is running against Dillon J. Mosier, a Republican.

In Selma, a lone Republican, Dale Buffin, is running against a full slate of five Democrats for one of five seats on town council.

2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Muncie Mayor Select 1

Ridenour, Dan Republican

Robinson, Jeff Democratic

Muncie City Clerk Select 1

Munson, Belinda M. Republican

Norman, Norma Democratic

Muncie City Judge Select 1

No candidate filed Republican

Dunnuck, Amanda C. Democratic

Muncie, IN

Muncie City Council, At-Large Select 3

Basham, Dale Republican

Clark, Aaron Republican

Selvey, Ro Republican

Barber, Audie Democratic

Juip, Holly Democratic

McIntosh, William (Billy Mac) Democratic

Smith, Steve L. Libertarian

Muncie City Council, District 1 Select 1

Green, Jeff Republican

Craig, Steve Democratic

Muncie City Council, District 2 Select 1

Taulbee, Josh Republican

Evans Powell, Nora Democratic

Muncie City Council, District 3 Select 1

Taulbee, Nicholas (Nick) Republican

Garrett, Brandon Democratic

Muncie City Council, District 4 Select 1

Marshall, Brad Republican

Gullion, Sara Democratic

Muncie City Council, District 5 Select 1

Popp, Andrew Republican

Dishman, Jerry D. Democratic

Muncie City Council, District 6 Select 1

Temple, Kyle Republican

Mason, Harold D. Jr. Democratic

Daleville Town Clerk-Treasurer Select 1

Roberts, Amy Republican

No Candidate Filed Democratic

Daleville Town Council, At-Large Select 5

Brogan, Steve Republican

Hurley, Brandie Republican

Jones, Adam Republican

Roberts, Thomas (Tom) Republican

Walters, William Republican

Scott, Marcus Joe Democratic

Eaton Town Clerk-Treasurer Select 1