This is it…Consolidated Election Day is here and it’s now up to voters to let their voices be heard. But, the question is…just how many of those voters will make an effort to go to the polls. In the last city election four years ago in Mt. Carmel, less than 17% of registered voters cast a ballot. But there is a big difference in today’s election. Unlike 2015, there is a contested race for Mayor and that fact seems to have generated quite a bit of interest according to county clerk Janet Will…

Will said no matter the turnout, her office has to prepare as if 100% of voters go to the polls today and that can be costly. She said the cost of today’s election is roughly $25,000 in Wabash County.

In addition to the mayoral race in Mt. Carmel, all four seats on the city council are up for grabs as well. Plus, there’s a contested race for three seats on the Wabash District 3-48 school board. Incumbents Ryan Peter, Neil Earnest, and Janice Alka are running for new terms against challengers Katie Slane and Joni Gill. The way the seats are determined, the top three vote-getters in the school board won’t necessarily be elected. Since Earnest and Slane are from the same congressional range, only one of them can be elected. So if Earnest and Slane happen to be in the top three, only the one with the most votes would be elected. The confusing requirement is designed to balance the board with an equal number of city and county representatives. Polls are now open until 7:00 tonight. We’ll have all of the results tonight on WSJD and online at wsjd dot fm and on our Facebook page.