Early Voter Turnout VariesThough there are several contested local, state and U.S. races, the turnout has been varied in different parts of Kosciusko County.
Early voter turnout was down, according to poll workers in Warsaw this morning.
As of 8:15 today, only 64 people had cast their ballots at Center Lake Pavilion.
Center Lake Pavilion is the voting site for all precincts of Warsaw's 5th Ward.
"This has probably been the slowest it's been in the years I've worked," said poll worker Kathy Miles.Miles said despite the turnout, the process has been made easier by software provided by the county.
Each polling place, with computer access, has the ability to look up what precinct voters are registered in rather than having to look up people on the rolls then call to different precincts.
As of 8:30 this morning, the Shrine Building at the county fairgrounds saw 77 people come in from the city's 2nd and 3rd wards' 1st precincts.
At St. Anne's Episcopal Church only 5 percent of registered voters in Warsaw's 4th Ward 1st precinct had come in to vote as of 8:45 a.m.
Early voting was more brisk in the northern part of the county.
In Syracuse, about 80 people had come in to vote at the Syracuse Community Center as of 8 a.m.
The community center serves most of Turkey Creek Township with the exception of the 3rd and 4th precinct.
In Leesburg, one side of the street was steady with voters while the other was slow.
At the Leesburg Lions Club on School Street, the voter turnout was slower with 69 voters from Plain Township's 2nd precinct as of 9:30 a.m.
Across School Street, Leesburg Grace Brethren Church reported steady turnout and a line of 10 people waiting outside before the polls opened at 6 a.m. The church is the location for Plain Township's 1st precinct to vote.
At New Hope Free Will Baptist Church where Plain Township's 3rd and 5th precinct voters cast their ballots, there was also steady turnout.
It was also yet another election where Wahenta Gebhart was on hand to volunteer.
Gebhart, 99, said she's been a poll worker for many years and wasn't ready to say as of this morning if she'd volunteer in another election.
"We'll wait and see," said Gebhart. "I do a lot of volunteer work so that keeps me busy."
She's also enjoyed her time working on election days.
"I've met a lot of new people in my time doing this," said Gebhart.
Gebhart said she's voted in every presidential election since she was 18 but couldn't remember who she first voted for.
As for the races, five men are vying for the republican nomination for the U.S. Senate race.
Two state representative races are being contested in the republican primary.
Incumbent Dave Wolkins is taking on Retha Hicks in District 18 while newcomer Rebecca Kubacki is challenging incumbent Bill Ruppel for the District 22 seat.
In local races, Steve Knispel is challenging Sheriff Rocky Goshert, while Jon Fussle is challenging incumbent Bob Conley for the southern district county commissioner's seat.
