(Michigan City, IN) - Following a lopsided election, if you’re into partisan politics, you might find yourself licking your wounds or basking in glory. One La Porte County poll worker is just glad that local voters are decent human beings.
For a midterm, voter turnout was brisk Tuesday. Many voting centers across La Porte County packed them in until the last minute— and beyond. Troubles with voting machines was blamed for the delay.
Pat Matsey, a poll worker at the IBEW-NECA voting center on 8th St. in Michigan City, said technical difficulties made for slow going where she was. She spoke at the Michigan City Common Council meeting Wednesday night. “It went sideways on us yesterday,” Matsey said, explaining that by midafternoon they were down to two voting machines. Polls closed at 6:00 pm, but the last voter turned in his ballot at 8:42. “That man waited in line for two and a half hours,” Matsey said.
Despite the long wait, voters were completely courteous, Matsey gratefully reported. “I appreciate the people of Michigan City so much. Not one ugly, mad comment was made to any of the workers at our location. Everyone waited patiently, everyone waited calmly, and everyone was so kind to us.”
According to latest available numbers, 31,882 ballots were cast, for a 40.60% voter turnout among 78,526 registered voters.
