• Washington County
• Elections
• State of Indiana
• Federal

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Washington County voters are turning out in droves for the 2024 General Election!

Andria Dupin from the Washington County Elections and Voter Services Office reported that not only are citizens flocking to the polls today, but that early voting turnout was up significantly over past election years.

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, 50.1 percent of all registered voters in the county had already voted--and the polls will be open for another five hours.  In past elections, total voter turnout hovered around 30 percent.

The Elections and Voter Services Office has been especially busy responding to calls to direct voters to their assigned voting location. A listing of voting locations will appear at the end of this story, along with photos from the voting locations at the fairgrounds and armory in Salem.

The polls will be open until 6 p.m. this evening. Registered county voters still have a few hours to cast their votes.  Remember to take your state or federal photo identification in order to be eligible to vote.

Following the closing of the polls, Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey and the dedicated staff of the elections and voter services office will gather in the Washington County Superior Courtroom to announce voting results by precinct as soon as the results are tabulated. Members of the public often attend to await the final tabulation of voting results.

The final results of the 2024 General Election for Washington County will be posted on www.SalemLeader.com as quickly as possible following the final voting tabulations.

The following photos were taken at the Washington County Fairgrounds and the National Guard Armory in Salem. 

Photos by Jerry Curry.

• Elections
• State of Indiana
• Federal

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Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is reminding eligible Hoosiers to make a plan to cast their vote in tomorrow’s General Election. As Election Day is hours away, Secretary Morales emphasizes the importance of citizens fulfilling their civic duty, underscoring his commitment to ensuring an open, secure and trusted election.

Polling locations across the state will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time tomorrow, November 5. Trained, dedicated poll workers will be ready to assist Hoosiers, as necessary. Secretary Morales is also reminding all voters to bring a valid ID to the polls to ensure a smooth voting process.

“As Hoosiers, we are blessed to live in a nation where everyone’s vote matters. This Election Day, I urge each eligible voter to act on their civic duty and get to the polls. By voting, we affirm our commitment to preserving the core values of freedom, responsibility, and accountability that define Indiana and America,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.

As of today, more than 1.5 million Hoosiers have voted.

Additionally, Secretary Morales wants to remind voters that high Election Day turnout may mean longer lines. Indiana law provides that anyone in line at a polling location at 6 p.m. local time, will be allowed to vote.  “A high voter turnout is a testament to the dedication of Indiana citizens. If you experience long lines, I strongly encourage you to be patient. Your constitutional right to vote matters,” added Secretary Morales.

Hoosiers can text the letters ‘IN” to 45995 with election questions or concerns. For more information on voting locations, hours, or to see a sample ballot, please visit IndianaVoters.com.

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Exercising your right to vote is a privilege, responsibility and an essential part of being an engaged citizen. It is the one opportunity an individual has to actually have a say in shaping the policies and future for your local community, county and the country.

Citizens are best served by voting for candidates whose policies and plans most align with their own. Election season is filled with incendiary statements by numerous sources. Don't let your judgement be swayed by inflammatory news reports, advertisements, polls, groups, political parties and pundits. Educate yourself about current issues, policies and operation of government to expose bias.

Indiana law requires voters to produce a photo identification (ID), proving they are U.S. citizens, before casting a ballot.

The ID must contain the following elements:

• Display your photo;
• Display your name;
• Display an expiration date and be current or have expired after the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election;
• Be issued by the state or federal government.

If you need to update your state-issued ID, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will offer extended hours on Monday, Nov. 4, and Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

Voting Hours On Tuesday, Nov. 5

The Washington County Clerk’s Office reminds voters that polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and to have their identification with them upon arriving at the election polling site. If you have any questions or are unsure of your voting precinct, contact the Washington County Clerk’s Office at (812) 883-5748 ext. 1128 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Local Voting Locations by Precinct

SALEM I, II, III, & IV.    (Everyone who lives within the Salem City Limits)
Salem Armory
1100 N. Shelby St., Salem

WASHINGTON I, III, & IV.    (Everyone outside of Salem who lives within Washington Township)
Fairgrounds 4H-Building
118 N. Fair St., Salem

BROWN/VERNON TOWNSHIPS
Community Building
125 S. Sycamore St., Campbellsburg

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
Franklin Township Firehouse
7047 E. SR-160, Salem

GIBSON TOWNSHIP
Gibson Township Firehouse
571 N. SR-39, Little York

HOWARD TOWNSHIP
Howard Township Firehouse
5279 S. Beck’s Mill Rd., Salem

JACKSON TOWNSHIP
Jackson Township Firehouse
4330 E. Martinsburg Fire Rd., Pekin

JEFFERSON/MONROE TOWNSHIPS
Monroe Township Firehouse
8382 N. Lick Skillet Rd., Vallonia

MADISON TOWNSHIP
Livonia Firehouse
383 E. Main St., Campbellsburg

PIERCE/POLK TOWNSHIPS
Pekin Park Community Building
340 S. Park St., Pekin

POSEY TOWNSHIP
Fellowship Baptist Mission Center
9271 W. US-150, Hardinsburg

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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

A new employee has been hired to manage Salem Municipal Airport after the ouster of the former person who held the post.

The new employee, Aric Russell, was hired in a 3-to-2 vote during a special called meeting of the Board of Aviation held on Friday, Oct. 11.

The hiring was upheld in a majority vote, with the support of board members Michael Bryant, Jason Cockerill, and Erin Woodward-Sparkman. Opposing votes came from Adam Kelly and Danny Habermel.

That vote echoes one held in July that supported the ouster of Wesley DePoy, who joined the airport in January 2023. His job ended at the end of August.

Cockerill, who serves as the air board’s president, said the termination of DePoy’s contract came after what he identified as “performance, communication concerns, and insubordination.” He cited an instance where a large fuel tank was installed at the airport without the board’s knowledge or consent.

Prior to the vote to end his contract, DePoy sent a letter to Salem Mayor Justin Green, although Cockerill said the decision to terminate DePoy was made before the letter was sent.

According to the letter, which was obtained with an open records request to the City of Salem, DePoy said more discussion should have been held before the board voted to remove the fuel tank, which was intended for use by Equus Flight Academy. DePoy stated more conversation could have led to a resolution that would have kept the fuel tank at the airport. The possibility of a lease payment for the space the tank occupied was mentioned as a possible revenue source for the airport.

A majority of the airport’s board members – the same ones who voted to end DePoy’s contract and hire Russell – voted during a May meeting to have the tank removed.

In addition to the board not having approved the delivery of the fuel tank to the airport, Cockerill said its removal was necessary because it was too heavy and could have cracked the concrete apron upon which it rested. Also, the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidelines state if another entity is allowed to sell fuel at an airport, then the airport must allow anyone to sell fuel.

Fuel sales are a major revenue source for the airport.

In his letter to Green, DePoy said if the board had delayed its decision to remove the tank it might have been possible to find a solution that would have allowed the academy to keep it while avoiding the threat to the airport’s fuel revenue.

DePoy’s letter indicates other supporters of his position helped with the letter, although they are unnamed. Prior to the special meeting during which DePoy was ousted, several people attended an air board meeting to express their support for DePoy.

Cockerill said multiple candidates were interviewed for the post.

The post held by DePoy was commonly referred to as “airport manager.” The new contract for Russell will identify him as the airport’s “maintenance associate.”

The contracted position remains part time.