Thirty Minutes (or More) and Counting

OK, it’s 5:30 p.m. and we’re supposed to be 30 minutes away from the polls closing. But the "in the chute" law that allows those in line at 6 p.m. to cast their ballots is expected to come into heavy use this time around. How heavy? We’ll just have to wait and see.

While the focus in the next few hours turns to the outcomes, we best not forget the victory for democracy. Hoosiers have been engaged, perhaps as never before, through the contested Democratic presidential primary and the close race for the White House this fall. Indiana as a battleground state? Not in my 46 years — or at least in the memories.

Let’s hope this is a good sign for the future. We’re electing our representatives. At the risk of sounding corny, it’s not just a right to vote, it’s a responsibility to be taken seriously.

Let the vote counts begin!

2008 Indiana Election Fun Facts

Some stats about the 2008 election in Indiana (courtesy of the Secretary of State):

2008 Registered Voters: 4,513,593

New Voter Registrations since 2006: 525,314

New & Updated Voter Registration Applicants in 2008: 818,194 (New: 345,632; Updated: 472,562)

Absentee Ballots submitted: 668,868