Long comes out recorder winner; election sees low voter turnout

Jennifer Bailey, Commercial-News, Danville, Ill.
·2 min read

Mar. 20—In a Primary Election that saw many local candidates without opposition, election officials now are looking toward a busier November General Election.

Locally on the Republican ballot, Superintendent of Assessments Matthew Long defeated Deputy Recorder Cathy Moulton for County Recorder of Deeds by 2,663 votes to 1,579 votes.

Long Tuesday night said he was still collecting his thoughts, but he wanted to thank everyone who supported him, put out yard signs, and walked in parades.

"I look forward to becoming the county recorder and making changes that will benefit the property owners in Vermilion County. The county needs a plat ordinance to provide for a more orderly process in developing subdivisions and the splitting of land in general," Long stated. "I'm confident the knowledge I have gained from being the county assessor, as well as being in the real estate business for 25 years, will be beneficial in working towards these changes."

He also added, "I would like to thank all of the voters who took the time to vote. Several people voted early and absentee and I applaud the additional effort that took. It is important that all people exercise their right to vote to ensure their voice is heard."

For Vermilion County Board, there were two Republican candidates each in Districts 5 and 7 where voters voted for one candidate to move onto the November general election.

County board seats up in those districts: District 5 — Crisi Walls who received 237 votes and defeated her opponent, Jimmy Watson, who received 118 votes. In District 7 — Craig Golden received 247 votes. His opponent Joseph M. Leonard received 111 votes.

There were no Democratic opponents for recorder or these county board seats.

Voter turnout was low in the City of Danville, 9.26 percent, and Vermilion County, 15.3 percent.

Of 18,104 registered voters in Danville, 1,676 ballots were cast.

Of 27,529 registered voters in Vermilion County, 4,208 ballots were cast. Of those ballots cast, 362 were early voting and 483 were vote by mail.

Carrie Wilson, Vermilion County assistant chief deputy county clerk/supervisor of elections, said "Election day went good. Numbers were pretty low as we expected. We normally see around a 13 to 15 percent turnout for a primary. I think with the ballot for November pretty much being set with the presidential candidates voters didn't think it would matter voting in the primary. We didn't have any issues and we are happy with how (Election Day) went. I am looking forward to November. General Elections have a bigger turnout and we like to see that."