Low turnout expected for Tuesday's municipal primaries

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to choose mayor and council candidates in cities and towns across Indiana.

But if previous municipal elections are any indication, the large majority of Hoosiers won't be getting in line to vote. Indiana had only a 9 percent turnout in the municipal primary election four years ago.

That's just 394,589 people picking all of those candidates in a state with 4.3 million registered voters. There's little reason to expect a different result this year. Twenty counties have no contested primaries at all. And early voting in contested counties has been going at the usual slow tick.

About 44,025 people had voted early through Friday, on pace for the 50,869 cast four years ago.

While the turnout is low, much is at stake in some communities. Voters in one-party cities like Westfield and Carmel will pick from candidates with vastly different visions. Voters in cities like Indianapolis and Lawrence will choose who represents their party in contested races this November.

There's some indication to believe interest is higher this year in some of the tougher contested areas. Early voting has nearly doubled from four years ago in Hamilton County through mid-day Monday — though to only about 2,665 ballots.

But in Indianapolis, with the mayoral primary races nearly foregone conclusions, early voting is down 20 percent from 2011.

Low turnout makes elections unpredictable, said Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics in Fort Wayne.

"A small number of voters are able to swing elections," Downs said. "That means that people who have a niche of some kind are able to pull off some victories you might not expect."

He blames low municipal turnout on Indiana's closed primary system, general political apathy, and, of course, the lack of a presidential election.

He believes incumbents have more need to worry over low turn out than challengers. People upset with the way things are going, he noted, have a tendency to get out and vote.

"That is why you'll hear a lot of incumbents talking to supporters and being adamant about them getting to the polls," Downs said.

Here's a glance at key races:

Hot contests in Carmel, Westfield

In the GOP stronghold of Hamilton County, the action centers on the Republican primary, usually rendering the November election as an uncontested afterthought.

In the two most prominent races, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard and Westfield Mayor Andy Cook have been asking voters for four more years to continue their visions of taxpayer-backed development.

Brainard is facing a strong challenge from City Council President Rick Sharp. The mayor also is backing several challengers for City Council, hoping to take more control over the city's checkbook.

Cook, who won by only 61 votes four years ago, is fending off a challenge from Pike Township firefighter Jeff Harpe. Cook is backing five incumbents for City Council, hoping to keep allies in control of the city's finances.

Indianapolis candidates look toward general election

In Indianapolis, both party favorites for mayor have been looking past their primary challengers to the general election in November.

Former U.S. attorney Joe Hogsett, a Democrat, and Republican restaurateur Chuck Brewer have the support of their county parties and are the only candidates to raise more than $250. Republican Mayor Greg Ballard is not seeking a third term.

Just three of 25 City-County Council primaries are contested, though control of the council will be at stake in November.

Races could be more interesting in another Marion County city.

In Lawrence, Democratic Mayor Dean Jessup hopes to become the first mayor since Republican Tom Schneider to win re-election. But it won't be easy. He's been criticized in recent months for his leadership style

and faces Councilwoman Linda Treat in the Democratic primary.

The winner will face either Republican Councilman Steve Collier or Lana Schneider, the former deputy police chief and widow of the former mayor.

Other suburban mayors fight for nomination

Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear is facing Hamilton County Business Magazine publisher Mike Corbett. Ditslear defeated Corbett by a 2-1 margin four years ago.

In Martinsville, Mayor Phil Deckard faces a tough challenge from Shannon Kohl in the Republican primary.

Kohl, a real estate agent, blames Deckard for a $750,000 budget shortfall that forced the city to juggle internal funds to meet payroll until the state disperses property tax money in June.

Deckard, a real estate broker and auctioneer, said the city's finances are sound and accused Kohl of trying to score political points by trumping up a minor issue.

In Greenfield, Mayor Chuck Fewell is facing a challenge from Judy Jo Swift for the Republican nomination.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is uncontested, but two races will be on the ballot. Council members Selina Stoller and Stuart Easley are facing challenges from Mike Colby and Brad DeReamer, respectively.

School districts seek more cash

Voters in four Indianapolis-area school districts will decide whether schools can raise property taxes.

Beech Grove, Perry Township, Wayne Township and Brownsburg schools are seeking voter approval for tax hikes that will cover expenses such as operating expenses and school construction, as well as updates to existing buildings.

Star reporters Vic Ryckaert, Brian Eason and Kris Turner contributed to this story. Call Star reporter Chris Sikich at (317) 444-6036, follow him at Twitter.com/ChrisSikich or Facebook.com/ChrisSikich.