Polls close, waiting begins

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Twelve hours after Election Day began with a few hiccups in Indianapolis, the polls have now closed, and results should begin rolling in soon.

Earlier in the day, election officials said they were encouraged by the number of voters – and the good weather that helped bring people out.

• REGIONAL RESULTS | We’ll be updating voting results throughout the night at On Politix

Three polling places in Indianapolis were delayed when inspectors didn’t show up. Marion County has 590 precincts. Polling sites opened at 6 a.m.

Washington Township precinct 45 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3535 Kessler Blvd. N., didn’t have an inspector a little after the poll opened at 6 a.m. A back-up inspector was sent to that location.
Westlake Elementary School, 271 N. Sigsbee St., also didn’t have an inspector, though a back-up was sent around 5:45 a.m.

New Beth Baptist Church, 8936 Southeastern Ave. had a back-up inspector sent at 5:30 a.m.

If an inspector isn’t present, voters can’t cast their ballots. But Marion County election officials say all three polling places were up and running by 7 a.m. No issues were reported with voting machines, but officials say if voters have problems with the machines they can request a paper ballot.

Republican incumbent Mayor Greg Ballard said earlier in the day he thought Tuesday's vote would be closer than the   11 percent margin he had over Democratic challenger Melina Kennedy in a WISH-TV/Franklin College poll .

Both candidates shared their plans for the day after they voted shortly after the polls opened.

"We just want to make sure people get out and vote," Ballard said Tuesday morning.

Kennedy said after voting that she feels like her campaign has some momentum.

"I feel very good about today," Kennedy said Tuesday. "Today, I'll just be with my family visiting various polling sites and encouraging people to vote."

Marion County election officials reported Tuesday afternoon a decent number of voters.

“Voter turnout has been good so far,” said Marion County Clerk Beth White. “We expect it to exceed 2007 levels.”

In the 2007 election, voter turnout was 27 percent.