Some Problems Reported At Polls

INDIANAPOLIS -- Seven of 445 precincts in the 7th Congressional District did not open on time for Tuesday's special election for the successor to the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson.

"Inspectors just didn't arrive for various reasons -- could be car trouble, could be they overslept, could be other reasons," said Marion County Clerk Beth White, referring to the seven polling places that opened late.

Polling places in the district, which covers most of Marion County, are supposed to be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Running in the election are Carson's grandson, Andre Carson, a Democrat; state Rep. Jon Elrod, R-Indianapolis; and Sean Shepard, a Libertarian.

Precinct 13, in Franklin Township, opened late because an inspector went to the wrong school, officials said. About a half-dozen voters went home without casting ballots.

"The lady that I was filling in for anyway told me that's where I'd be going," said the Precinct 13 inspector, Linda Brown. "This is my first time working in the election, and it's not a good experience starting out."

Tuesday morning, the Marion County Republican Party alleged that thousands of ballots were missing and offered a $100 reward for information leading to their return. Later in the morning, the clerk's office said all of the ballots had been accounted for, and White, a Democrat, called on the Republicans to give the reward to her office to help defray the cost of the special election.

In Decatur Township, several ballots were cast at a van because poll workers couldn't immediately access a church that was supposed to serve as a polling place.

"The first few votes we took were in the parking lot right in front of the building," inspector Jennifer Voreis said. "By 6:10 a.m., we were set up and ready to go."

Hoping to shepherd whoever needs help, the clerk's office says people can call 317-327-8683 to ask questions about the election or where to vote. People also can find their polling place at this Web site.

Julia Carson died in December after a battle with cancer.