(La Porte County, IN) - It’s Election Day for municipalities throughout La Porte County, as voters are casting ballots in La Porte, Michigan City, Westville, Trail Creek, and Long Beach.

 

La Porte County Republican Party Chairman Al Stevens was at the American Legion Post in Westville. Amid the town's two contested races this year, he described voter turnout all morning there as “pretty steady.”

 

“That’s pretty good for a small town like Westville,” he said. 

 

Republican Bob Wanmer is challenging Democratic incumbent candidate Mike Albert for a seat on the town council while Clerk Lori Mercer, a Democrat, is opposed by Republican Tracy Williams.

 

One of the voting center locations in La Porte is the Civic Auditorium, where Civic Auditorium Director Brett Binversie noted that voter turnout was steady as well, but slowed down about two hours after the polls opened at 6 a.m.

 

“They had a nice flow up until about eight o’clock. As usual, they’re anticipating it’ll pick up around lunch hour again,” he said.

 

The mayoral race between Republican incumbent Tom Dermody and Democratic candidate Ron Zimmer, as well as three seats on the City Council, will be decided.

 

Turnout in Michigan City, where incumbent Republican Duane Parry is challenged by Democrat Angie Nelson Deuitch is also viewed as steady.

 

“There was a big flow this morning. A lot of people vote before going to work.  Maybe lunchtime will probably bring a larger crowd,” said Chris Yagelski, an administrator at the Mayor’s Office.

 

Nelson Deuitch, a member of the Michigan City City Council and candidate in their respective mayoral race, would become the first African-American mayor in the history of the city if elected, in a race many people believe is too close to call.