The 2023 elections took place a few weeks ago. For most Panthers, it was an eLearning day. But for those over the age of 18, it was the final opportunity to cast their vote.

“I was really excited! It was my first time voting and I went to a local library where they had a voting site,” senior Mially Clarson said.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett (D) won reelection in his race against Jefferson Shreve (R) by 20% of votes with around 97,300 to Shreve’s 66,200. Six of the 25 seats for Indianapolis City-Council were won by Republicans.

“I expected those results considering the area we live in, like if you went to another county close to us they probably would have different results,” freshman Sheryll Sharona said. 

Looking at Hamilton County, for instance, Sue Finkam (R) won Carmel Mayor in the race against Miles Nelson (D). The final vote was 57% to 42%, respectively.

On the Cook Partisan Voting Index, Indiana has maintained a R+11 rating, meaning it is Republican and significantly more Republican than Democrat. These ratings are calculated by considering the votes of the two preceding presidential elections. 

Despite state polls, Indianapolis and the greater Marion County district are mostly Democratic, including the Nora area where NC is located.

“I think that if you are old enough to vote, it’s super important to try and do that,” Clarson said, “I felt very grown up at the polls for the first time and it was a new kind of adulting like you get the same feeling as when you first start driving. But yeah, just plan ahead of time how to get there and do research on who to vote for even if it’s just some local election and not something big like Biden versus Trump, you know?”