Shortly after polls opened at 9 a.m., Junifer Hall, a Democratic poll watcher, cast Gary’s first ballot of the 2024 primary.
“I like to be the first one so we can test the machine to make sure everything is ready,” Hall told Capital B Gary.
Voters were slow to roll in throughout the morning, and though this is a course of events Hall has become familiar with, she is hopeful for an increase in turnout.
“Based on how it has been in the past, we expect about 25 to 30 people each day during early voting,” Hall said. “I wish there was some type of effort to inform and encourage people to come to vote and vote early.”
Asked who should spearhead that effort, Hall said the responsibility falls on everyone.
“I think it should come from all sources,” she said. “Lake County Board of Elections, my elected officials, and it should come from the citizens. We have a responsibility to keep up with the presidential race and especially our U.S. Senate.”
Tommy Schuler Jr., a poll worker, said he hopes Gary’s voter turnout is not as low as Chicago’s.
“According to the Board of Elections, we expect a good deal of [mail-in votes] as a lot of older folks like to take advantage of that option and early voting to avoid a bad weather Election Day,” he said.
One voter, Gil Guitierrez, expressed his interest in the opportunity to elect Danielle Carter as the first female African-American coroner in Lake County’s history.
“What’s the coroner’s response time for a gunshot wound victim in Gary?” Guittierrez asked. “An hour or longer? For other cities in the region, it may be 20 minutes. That’s why I’m here.”
Gary voters are casting their ballots in a range of races, from congressional leaders to state legislators and various Lake County offices.
On the Republican ballot for president, voters can choose between Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, and former President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, a six-candidate race is underway for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Also on the ballot is the District 3 Indiana Senate seat previously held by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. Democratic voters will also select their nominee for the District 3 Indiana House seat, with incumbent state Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, running against Gary attorney Heather McCarthy. Other contested races on the Democratic ballot include U.S. senator and Lake County surveyor.
Gary recorded 19 votes on day one of early voting, according to the Lake County Board of Elections.
Primary Election Day is May 7.
