St. Joseph County voters turning out for special election

By Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

Tools

Dr. Fred Ferlic of South Bend, right, gets a hand voting from inspector Ruby Walker at Riley High School in South Bend Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday's vote concerns the Regional Transportation measure.

Dr. Fred Ferlic of South Bend, right, gets a hand voting from inspector Ruby Walker at Riley High School in South Bend Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday's vote concerns the Regional Transportation measure. (Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON)

By Jason Overholt

Story Created: Nov 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 3, 2009 at 8:31 PM EST

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY ― There was only one question on the ballot in the special election about the future of regional transportation. The results of the election will decide whether a transportation board can raise taxes up to 0.25 percent.

Both St. Joseph and Porter counties have to pass it to enact a new transportation district. Critics worry about how much the district would benefit St. Joseph County. Proponents say it's a crucial step for public transit.

Election officials were expecting a very low voter turnout, but many election workers told WSBT the turnout Tuesday was far better than they expected. In fact, in Centre Township, election workers said they ran out of ballots for about 20 minutes.

But until everything is counted, County Clerk Rita Glenn said there’s no way to tell the percentage of voters that hit the polls to say “yes” or “no” to one question.

The county slashed its normal 230 polling places to just 30 in an effort to save money.

“It’s been very smooth,” said Sharon Ingals, an election inspector at the Harris Twp Fire Station on the corner of Anderson and Bittersweet Roads in Granger.

Despite concern voters wouldn't show up because they didn't know about the election or understand what it meant for them, most were not afraid to voice their opinion to WSBT.

“I don't want to pay more taxes. [I’m] tired of paying taxes,” said Ken Vargo.

“We think our money should go toward something else,” added Mabel Bernth.

Last summer, state lawmakers said voters in St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter and Lake Counties could decide if a transportation district should be formed in northwest Indiana. That district would be made up of a rail service board of directors and a bus service board of directors. Those boards could raise taxes up to a quarter of a percent to help pay for capital projects like improvements to the South Shore Train in all four counties and bus service in Lake and Porter counties.

The catch — two of four counties have to pass the measure. Both Lake and LaPorte counties refused to have an election Tuesday — simply saying they say they don't have enough money.

Supporters of the referendum said it would pay for improvements to the South Shore train service which would, in turn, help make the trip to Chicago a little quicker.

St. Joseph County Clerk Rita Glenn said election workers will count the ballots tonight, but she wasn't sure how long it would take.

Locations that ran out of ballots at some point today

  • Centre/Green Township

  • Olive/Warren Township

  • Penn Township Fire Station

  • Portage/German Township

  • Penn High School

  • Cornerstone Community Church

    • More Good Stuff

    WSBT Weather

    icon
    Current Temp 43.6
    °
    More Weather

    On Demand

    More On Demand

    Stock Quotes

    YouNews

    This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
    This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

    Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

    7.00
    Paid Programming
    7.30
    Jeopardy
    8.00
    The Mentalist
    9.00
    48 Hours Mystery
    10.00
    48 Hours Mystery
    11.00
    WSBT News
    11.35
    CSI: NY
    12.35
    CSI: NY
    1.35
    CSI: Miami

    Question of The Day

    Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

    E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

    • YES
    • NO
    Today's Mortgage Rates