(La Porte County, IN) - More than 400 early votes have been cast in the November 7th election to decide municipal roles like La Porte County's next Mayor and City Council.

 

It’s also the first time La Porte County has had voting centers, which allow county residents to vote at any polling location.  

 

So far, the voting seems to reflect a much higher interest in the races from Michigan City, as La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens estimated that 85 percent of the over 450 early votes cast have come from the area.

 

“I know of people who live in La Porte who have voted in Michigan City, and I know people who live in Michigan City who have voted in La Porte,” she said.

 

Stevens said the numbers reflect the votes cast by mail or at early voting stations in both Michigan City and La Porte.

 

The heavy interest in Michigan City is primarily from the mayoral race, featuring incumbent Republican Duane Parry against Angie Nelson Deuitch, a Democratic member of the City Council.

 

If elected, Deuitch would become the first African-American to be mayor of Michigan City.

 

The low interest, so far in La Porte, is likely a result of people assuming Mayor Tom Dermody will win against Democrat Ron Zimmer and Democratic candidates in only three of the seven City Council races currently at stake.