Election Day 2011

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Voters in Northeast Indiana will decide on numerous municipal races, none more hotly contested than the race for Fort Wayne Mayor.

Republican challenger Paula Hughes has been in a back-and-forth for months with incumbent Democrat Tom Henry . Independent Haley Ahrendt is also on the ballot for mayor.

Hughes and Henry have traded a host of negative ads, accusing the other of raising taxes and an inability to move Fort Wayne forward. Most recently, Hughes said she will sue Henry if he doesn’t publicly apologize before the election on accusations that Henry aired a television ad lying that Hughes didn’t pay taxes.

Fort Wayne residents will also decide on the City Clerk and City Council.

Also in Allen County, Woodburn voters will decide whether to keep incumbent Democrat Dick Hoeppner or replace him with Republican challenger Bill Meadows.

In DeKalb County, residents will vote primarily for city council representatives. Voters in Garrett will decide on a new mayor after current Mayor Dave Wiant is not seeking re-election. Tonya Hoeffel is the Republican nominee and Thomas Kleeman is the Democratic nominee.

In Whitley County, Columbia City voters will also decide a new mayor after Mayor Jim Fleck opted to not seek another term. Voters have three candidates to choose from: Republican Ryan Daniel, Democrat Cathy Heritier, and Libertarian Scott Wise.

In Adams County, voters in Berne will decide between Republican mayoral candidate Bill McKean and Democrat Ray Gill.

In Noble County, Ligonier residents will vote between incumbent Republican candidate Patty Fisel and Democratic challenger Andy Schultz for mayor. Albion, Avilla, Kendallville, Wolcottville and Ligonier voters will also decide some council seats. Avilla will also vote for Clerk-Treasurer.

LaGrange County has limited elections to decide due to no opposition candidates.

In Steuben County, residents will watch a closely contested mayoral race. Democratic incumbent Mayor Dick Hickman is being challenged by Harry Nix, a Republican.

Huntington voters will decide a new mayor after ousting Republican incumbent Steve Updike in the May primary. After seven candidates were on the May ballot, including Updike, the Mayor finished a distant fourth. Voters will decide on Republican Brooks Fetters, Democrat Tony Hiles, or Independent Jay Rinehart.

Many voters in Wells County will see candidates running unopposed, including longtime Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis, who is running for a fifth term. Bluffton residents will also vote for Clerk-Treasurer and Judge of the City Court.

Voters in Ohio will decide mayoral and council races, but also face three ballot issues Tuesday.

The primary ballot issue getting the most attention is Issue 2, the repeal of Senate Bill 5. SB5 is a bill passed by the Ohio Legislature limiting the bargaining rights of unions and requiring government employees to make high payments for health insurance. Voters will also decide on age restrictions for judges and whether federal laws should allow Ohio residents to be subject to mandatory health insurance.

When voting on Tuesday, remember to have a government issued photo ID. If you do not have an ID, the BMV will have extended hours Tuesday and only process drivers licenses and photo IDs. If there is any confusion at a polling place, cast a provisional ballot.

Polls in Indiana are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Ohio, they are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Indiana voters can CLICK HERE for all Indiana voting information including verifying registration, polling location, and other election information.

Watch NewsChannel 15 at 5, 6, and Nightcast at 11 for results, also on WANE.COM and your WANE Wireless App.