Confusion is mounting over the date of Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ special election, and the district and the Hamilton County Elections Office in Noblesville have been fielding questions.

Some voters think the election to vote on a seven-year tax increase is today, which would be the usual election date. But instead, it’s Nov. 10, said Kathy Richardson, elections administrator.

The reason for the delay was timing. The county certified the election Aug. 6, and the election must be at least 90 days after certification.

The district is asking voters to approve a property tax increase for the next seven years to help pad its dwindling operating budget.

So far, only 280 people have voted early, Richardson said. That’s significantly fewer than the 500 people she estimated voted early for Noblesville Schools’ special election in January, in which fewer people were eligible to vote.

Richardson expects to receive more ballots this week.

HSE Superintendent Brian Smith is not surprised at the slow early voting, because only one issue is on the ballot. “We continue to answer questions and do what we can to get the vote out,” he said in a statement he gave HSE spokeswoman Marianna Richards.

Registered voters who live in the Hamilton Southeastern district can vote from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at their normal polling sites unless notified otherwise.