Dear Putnam County,

Showing up is the job.

Every candidate for local office was invited to this year’s candidate forums and debates. Two Republicans came. 12 Democrats showed up.

That isn’t a partisan jab — plenty of good people run with an R next to their name. It’s a standard. Answering questions in a room full of neighbors, some of whom disagree with you, is the floor for the job, not a favor.

If someone won’t show up for you while they’re asking for your vote, what happens after they have it?

Count me in →

Have a question? Call or text any time!
☎ Call 765-719-7355 ✉ Text us

Add your name.

Thirty seconds. We’ll send you your ballot, the voting hours, and who’s actually running — before Nov 3. No spam, ever.

Why it matters this year

For a long time it didn’t, much. Local seats got settled in a May primary most people sit out — one name on the ballot, the decision made long before November.

Not this year. 21 local races on the November ballot are contested. For once, the choice is actually yours.

The Slate for Change, Putnam County, November 3, 2026 — 20 local Democratic candidates for county and township office, with photos, names and the office each is running for.
Twenty neighbors who put their name on a ballot — and answered for it in public.

Election Day — Tuesday, November 3

6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vote at any Putnam County vote center.

Or vote early, before the line

Putnam County Courthouse, weekdays through Friday Oct 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon–1).
Saturdays Oct 24 and Oct 31, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Courthouse and Lifespring Church, Bainbridge.
Last day: Monday Nov 2, 8 a.m. to noon.

What we’re asking for

Transparency

Meeting notices before the meeting, not the legal minimum. A plain-English summary after. You shouldn’t need a records request to find out what was decided in your name.

Accessibility

A website you can actually use. A phone number someone answers. An official you can reach without knowing somebody.

Showing up

At the forum. At the debate. At the meeting. In front of people who disagree with you — before the election, not just after.

None of that belongs to one party. It’s the bare minimum, and a county where seats go unchallenged year after year stops being asked for it. That isn’t anyone’s conspiracy. It’s just what happens when no one has to show up.

This year, 21 of those races have someone on the other line. That only means something if you vote it.

Send me my ballot info →

However you vote — show up. November 3.

— Your neighbors

Paid for by the Putnam County Democrats, not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.