Get a head start on exercising your right to vote in the 2024 general election with early voting set to begin tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jackson County Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour.
Two other early vote centers will open Oct. 21 — one at the Jackson County Learning Center, 323 Dupont Drive, Seymour, and the second at the Jackson County Courthouse, 111 S. Main St., Brownstown. They will both be open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Friday.
The week before Election Day, the courthouse and library will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 2. The library also will be open for early voting the Monday immediately prior to Election Day from 8 a.m. to noon.
There is only one countywide race on the ballot with incumbent Republicans R. Brett Turner of Crothersville, John L. Nolting of Brownstown and Amanda Cunningham Lowery of Vallonia, previously uncontested in the primary county council at-large race, will now face off against Libertarian Stephen Crawford of Medora.
No Democrats are listed on the ballot for county-wide offices. That means the GOP candidates for those offices — along with recently appointed County Auditor Hans Eilbracht — will take office Jan. 1. Those candidates are Jackson Circuit Judge Richard D. Poynter, Treasurer Kathy S. Hohnstreiter, Coroner Paul Foster, Surveyor Daniel Blann, District I Commissioner Drew Markel and District 2 Commissioner Drew Storey.
Another sought after office on the ballot is the Indiana House District 69 seat. Republican incumbent Jim Lucas of Seymour will face off against Democrat candidate Trish Whitcomb, also of Seymour. District 69 includes portions of Jackson, Bartholomew, Scott and Washington counties.
Also, the Indiana House District 62 seat is up for grabs with incumbent Republican Dave Hall of Norman facing a challenge from Democrat Thomas Horrocks of Bloomington. District 62 includes Owen and Salt Creek townships in Jackson County, all of Brown County, and portions of Monroe County.
The Indiana House District 65 seat will be retained by incumbent Republican Chris May, R-Bedford, who is running unopposed. District 62 includes Carr Township in Jackson County.
Indiana Ninth District Congresswoman Erin Houchin, R-Salem, whose district includes Jackson County, is running for a second two-year term. She will face Democrat Timothy “Tim” Peck and Libertarian Russell “Russ” Brooksbank.
Bedford Republican Eric Koch will win a third four-year term as the District 44 state senator as he is running unopposed. District 44 includes Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Orange counties and portions of Monroe County.
Also, three candidates are vying for the governor and lieutenant governor seats. They are Republicans Mike Braun, a U.S. senator, and running mate Micah Beckwith, Democrats Jennifer McCormick and running mate Terry Goodin of Austin and Libertarians Donald Rainwater and running mate Tonya Hudson.
Republican incumbent Jim Banks will face off against Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning for the U.S. Senator seat.
Incumbent Attorney General Todd Rokita and Democrat Destiny Wells are vying for the Attorney General seat.
There are four candidates vying for the coveted seats of U.S. President and Vice President: Republican Former President Donald Trump and running mate Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Libertarian candidates Chase Oliver and running mate Mike Ter Maat and “We the People” Party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and running mate Nicole Shanahan.