Issues Drive Voter Interest

First glance: What a surprise! Second thought: Not surprising. Richland Source reports the county was second in the state for turnout this week. Putnam County came in first. Richland officials attribute the interest to solar/wind issues and tax levies on the ballot. Indeed, the turnout was higher outside of the county seat, Mansfield. 

Rural voters have been conflicted about SB 52 since its passage. The enviro activists support solar and wind development. But there's also a substantial resistance, with some objecting to loss of farm land to renewables projects and some still operating on fossil fuel disinformation. In any case, 11 of Richland's 18 townships still have a ban on renewables after this week's elections. Likewise, the matter of property and/or local income tax to support public operations was a top priority for some.

Richland Source (along with Ashland, Knox and Delaware Source editions) is one of those newer online efforts to replace the hometown papers that have shuttered. Got one on your home turf?