Election

Middle School Kids Get A Lesson In Civics

By Mike Wilson (mwilson@wibc.com) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 22:06:00 GMT

While we're waiting to see who wins the presidential race, a middle school on the south east side of Indianapolis has already made its pick.

As you might expect from a middle school though, the election at Longfellow Magnet Middle School wasn't just about winning and losing.

The kids focused heavily on issues, showing concern and sharing personal stories about immigration, welfare, family stories.

Through their honesty though, the students were able to find some common ground, even if they disagreed.

The students we talked to discussed how important respect was when they expressed their political opinions.

Voters In Fishers Talk Growth

By Mike Corbin (mcorbin@wibc.com) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:44:00 GMT

Voters line up in Fishers (WIBC.com photo: Mike Corbin)

Voters in Fishers say their town has grown by leaps and bounds.

Listen:

That's one of the very issues that's bringing voters out to the polls this Election Day. The two basic questions involve whether Fishers and Fall Creek Township should merge into a modern city and should the Town of Fishers alone become a city. Voters are deciding whether become a "second class city" with an elected council and mayor.

Fishers' population is currently about 80-thousand. The town has been dealing with quick and steady growth and officials have said for years that a "modern city" designation will help accommodate growth while also maintaining balance of power and minimizing corruption.

Pence, Gregg Wrap Up Campaign For Governor

By Ray Steele (rsteele@wibc.com) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:44:00 GMT

Mike Pence at his very last campaign appearance at Indy's MacArthur Elementary School (wibc.com photo: Ray Steele)

You might think it would be difficult to stop after you have been campaigning constantly for the last 18 months. But the candidates for governor of Indiana both sound as if they are ready to take a break, though they hope it is only a brief one before their inauguration.

Listen to Ray Steele's report for Indy's Afternoon News:

Democrat John Gregg began the day in his hometown of Sandborn, then moved on to Vincennes, where he was once the university's president. Gregg was still stumping for last minute votes, particularly from independents and the people he termed "Lugar Republicans," those who may not be happy with the G-O-P after the longtime U-S Senator was voted out during the primary. "I've greeted three people here who came and said they were Republicans and they were gonna vote for me so, see you don't know," said Gregg.

Republican Mike Pence began his day at his hometown polling station in Clifford. He later made a handful of appearances at other polling places, the final one at MacArthur Elementary School on the Southside of Indianapolis. Pence didn't talk about his opponent, instead saying he was grateful for "the outpouring of support we've seen over the last year-and-a-half, to have people all over the state encouraging us on, volunteering their time is just deeply humbling." Regardless of the outcome, Pence says he feels humbled because his 18-year-old daughter, Audrey, cast the first vote of her life for him this morning.

Most pre-election polls showed Pence in the lead, though the gap seems to have narrowed in recent weeks.

@WIBC_RaySteele

Hamilton County Voters Speak Out

By Mike Corbin (mcorbin@wibc.com) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:43:00 GMT

Voters lining up at the Carmel Clay Public Library (WIBC.com photo: Mike Corbin)

Hamilton County is recovering following an early morning voting glitch.

Listen:

Elections Inspector Richard Himes says the card that's used to initialize voting machines failed. He says officials were later able to validate the card which got machines up and running across the county. Himes says voters are the real issue at the polls. He says voters are the ones who make the system work and maintain the integrity of the Democratic process. He spoke from the Carmel Library where dozens of people stood in line.

Several Carmel voters say they consider voting on Election Day a privilege in addition to an American duty. They say it's important for people to vote even if others vote for candidates they themselves do not support.

Recent Poll Shows No Surprises, According to One

By Amber Stearns (amber@wibc.com) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:42:00 GMT

One political observer says the most recent Howey/ DePauw Indiana Battleground poll offered no surprises.

Listen:

Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute Preisdent John Ketzenberger says he wasn't surprised the poll showed a single digit gap between Democrat John Gregg and Republican Mike Pence in the race for governor. Ketzenberger says the poll numbers proved to be a catalyst for both candidates to continue their campaign push in last days and hours before the election.

The poll showed an 11 point difference in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Joe Donnelly and Republican Richard Murdock. Ketzenberger says although this race had been in a statistical dead heat for months, the turning point was definitely the last debate following comments made by Murdock.

Ketzenberger says although Indiana is expected to go Republican for the Presidential race, one can't assume that expectation will affect the other races in the state. He says while there are still quite a few straight ticket voters that still exist, Indiana is known for being a "scratch" state where leading national candidates have little-to-no effect on the results of state and local races.

Hamilton County Voting Machines Fail

RTV6 — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:42:00 GMT

Voters waiting to vote in Hamilton County (Photo courtesy of RTV6)

Hoosiers in Hamilton County trying to vote when the polls opened early Tuesday experienced problems with long lines and machines that weren't working.

Hamilton County Election Administrator Kathy Richardson said workers at each of the 203 precincts in Hamilton County had to call in and get instructions from the election office on how to reset the machines, which caused a nearly 30 minute delay.

Some precincts started using paper ballots, and then resumed electronic voting when the machines were working again.

The delay caused voter lines to back up at many of the polling sites

Richardson asked voters to be patient as officials worked to solve the problems.

Indiana Schools Podcasts - Tony Bennett and Glenda Ritz

By Ray Steele (rsteele@wibc.com) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:55:00 GMT

WIBC's education reporter, Ray Steele, sat down with State School Superintendent Tony Bennett and his challenger in tuesday's election, Glenda Ritz. Click on the links below to listen to the podcast of each interview.

Listen to Ray's Indiana Schools Podcast with State School Superintendent Tony Bennett:

Listen to Ray's Indiana Schools Podcast with Bennett's challenger, Glenda Ritz:

Carson and May Battle it Out in Indiana's 7th Congressional District

By Mike Wilson (mwilson@wibc.com) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Left to Right: Andre Carson (D) and Carlos May (R) (file photos)

The Seventh Congressional District has a new map and two energetic candidates.

Listen:

Democratic incumbent, Andre Carson, says he's been looking out for his district, creating jobs and looking ahead. He wants to develop a financial education program for students.

Carlos May, the republican challenger, says he is going to work hard to get votes and not care about reelection, so much as he's interested in making good choices for the district. Both May and Carson discussed job creation as some of their top priorities.

May says he will back up his campaign promises with action. Carson says he has a proven track record of job preservation in the district that encompasses most of Marion County and Indianapolis.

Republicans Hope to Hold Indiana's Largest District

By Ray Steele (rsteele@wibc.com) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Left to Right: Larry Bucshon (R), Dave Crooks (D) and Bart Gadau (L)

Republicans are trying to hold Indiana's 8th district congressional seat, something that hasn't been easy for either party over the years.

Listen:

Geographically, it's the biggest district in Indiana, anchored in Evansville and running north to Warren County along the state's southwestern border. Vincennes, Washington, Terre Haute and Greencastle are all part of the district.

For many years, it was known as the Bloody 8th - incumbents were ousted six times between 1966 and 1982. While not changing hands as frequently since then, many still consider it a swing district, as Democrats there are more conservative than those in other parts of Indiana.

Heart surgeon Larry Buschon was first elected two years ago when the GOP took control of the House. The Republican was helped when then-Democratic Congressman Brad Ellsworth decided to run for the U.S. Senate, losing that race to Dan Coats.

Buschon's Democratic challenger is Dave Crooks, a former state representative and an owner of radio stations in Knox and Daviess Counties. Also running is Libertarian nominee Bart Gadau, who is seeking political office for the first time.

The district was drawn to lean Republican, but Crooks has spent almost as much money as Buschon in the race. Gadau could be a wildcard despite his newcomer status. The last Libertarian nominee, John Cunningham, got five percent of the vote two years ago, which could make it a close race if most of those votes are taken from Buschon.

Finish Line in Sight for Race to Succeed Pence in Washington

By Joe Ulery (julery@wibc.com) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Pictured left to right: Republican Luke Messer, Libertarian Rex Bell, Democrat Brad Bookout

Three men want the job to represent the Sixth Congressional District--where more counties are represented than any other district in the state.

Listen:

Republican Luke Messer argues that he is the best man to get America's spending in check.

"If we don't get it turned back around and get back to sensible spending patterns, the next generation of Americans may lose their chance to live the American Dream," the former state lawmaker said.

Messer shares some beliefs with Libertarian Rex Bell--who decided 2012 is the year he would practice what he preached...

"Basically, concerned about the growth and cost and overreach of federal government, so I thought it was time to step up and try to do something about it," Bell said.

Democrat Brad Bookout is a builders with his own business.

"If we could just give a better tax break to small business, I think we would create more jobs," Bookout suggested.

Republican Mike Pence created the open seat when he decided to run for governor.