Almost Time For Municipal Voting

By: Betsy Reason

Here in Noblesville, it doesn’t really feel like election time.

Only a few politicians have political signs scattered in yards throughout the city. And voters aren’t rushing to early voting to cast their votes.

If you don’t live in a city or town in Hamilton County, you won’t vote in the Nov. 7 Municipal Election unless you’re in the Sheridan or Hamilton Southeastern School District because there is a school referendum (which is a good reason to get out and vote).

In Noblesville, of the 12 political seats up for election, sadly all except for three Noblesville Common Council District At-Large seats are unopposed. But only four candidates — three Republicans and one Democrat (Paula Gilliam, who has run several times for offices) — are running for the three At-Large seats.

For the other nine seats in the City, some might ask if there is even a reason to go vote, with only one name appearing on the ballot next to each open position. Being that these candidates are guaranteed to be elected.

In Westfield, of the nine open seats, 11 candidates are running for office. Westfield CIty Council District 4 has two candidates running for one seat, and City Council At-Large has three candidates vying for one seat. Six seats are unopposed.

Arcadia has two seats up for election, Cicero has four seats open, Sheridan has four seats, all unopposed. Funny, the smallest town in Hamilton County, Atlanta, Ind., has a Democrat and a Republican running for Atlanta Town Council District 2.

In Fishers, there is a little more competition, with only three of 12 seats unopposed. A Democrat and a Republican are running against each other in seven of the races. And five is the most number of candidates vying for an office, for CIty Council-At-Large.

In Carmel, the races are a little more interesting. For 11 seats, there are 21 candidates. Only three races are unopposed. For Carmel City Council At-Large, three Republicans and two Democrats are vying for a total three seats.

The Carmel Mayor’s race may get the most attention due to three mayoral candidates, a Republican, a Democrat and a write-in Independent. And the race will probably be the most watched.

There are 78 candidates — 58 Republicans and 19 Democrats and one write-in — running for election.

Remember, in Hamilton County, 45.4 percent of voters voted Democrat in the last presidential election, and 52.2 percent voted Republican, and 2.4 percent voted Independent. In Carmel, President Joe Biden won the City in 2020.

Any registered voter can cast their ballot on Nov. 7, which is next Tuesday. Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at [email protected], or 3170555-9999