With the Presidential election season in full swing and focused on New Hampshire and South Carolina, I remind you, there are local elections that Porter County residents should pay attention to as well.
This year, it is expected that there will be a higher voter turnout than in 2014 and 2015. I hope that is the case because in these past two elections, Indiana has experienced the lowest voter turnout in the nation. With the increased focus on the Presidential race, it is important to remember that some of the most important offices that affect an individual are on the ballot this year as well.
At the federal level, not only do we elect a new President but we too are electing a new United States Senator with the retirement of Dan Coats. Here in the First Congressional District, we are being asked again to send Pete Visclosky to Congress or chose a successor. At the State level, we are choosing a Governor, Attorney General, State Superintendent and members of the Indiana Senate and House.
But, more importantly, this election is hyper-local. In most school districts, school board seats are up for election, including two in Portage. At the County level, Porter County voters will choose three At-Large members of the County Council and two members of the Porter County Board of Commissioners. Additionally, voters will be asked to vote to elect a County Surveyor and County Treasurer. This year will be a long ballot.
It does not stop there; voters will also be asked to elect two judges and to retain some members of the Indiana Supreme Court. Are you confused yet?
This will be a very long ballot and could physically be two sided. As a helpful hint, always turn your ballot over. Typically, the races that affect you the most are left on the back and sometimes voters tend to overlook these races.
Many ask, well why does it matter if I vote for School Board or County Council? Usually, national level politics takes up a majority of the spotlight but history shows, what affects an individual the most is what occurs at the local level.
Take, for example, a property tax referendum. This is one method school districts have used in recent years to supplement lost income from the State. While Congress typically does not change the tax code, these decisions can affect an individual or a family greatly. What about the recent controversy surrounding Indiana Dunes State Park? This was not done by the National Park Service or Congress, this has been a local issue decided by local boards and more recently, the State. Your vote for State Representative and State Senator could sway the decision of taking local control of the development away and giving it to the State.
While most voters cannot name their representative on the School Board or a member of their City Council, when it comes down to it; that is the person and bodies that affect them the most.
Collin Czilli is a member of the Portage City Council representing the 5th District. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and not necessarily of the publisher.