When is Election Day?
The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. Gary voters will help decide the outcomes of more than 15 races and two ballot measures. The deadline to register for the general election was Monday, Oct 5.
Early voting and mail voting
Registered voters may cast early ballots in person until noon Monday, Nov. 2, and if approved, by mail, until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 when ballots must be received by the county election board.
When and Where Is Early Voting in Gary?
Lake County voters have 30 days and multiple locations to cast their ballots prior to Election Day. Read more
How to Cast a Mail-In Ballot in Indiana
In Indiana, voters who want a mail-in ballot have to have a state-designated reason for requesting one. Read more.
Find your polling place for Election Day
Nearly 30 polling sites will be open in Gary on Election Day, Nov 3. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents can find their location using the Voting Information Project’s online tool, presented below, by entering your home address. Read more.
Having trouble with the tool? Find your polling place here.
Where can I turn for help with voting
Capital B will be monitoring our Ask Capital B inbox throughout this election season and will point residents to resources. In addition, you can go directly to the following for help. During early voting, reach out to the Lake County Board of Elections to ask for help. Their number is (219) 755-3795. If you run into trouble at the polls, ask a poll worker for help. You can also call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). That is available for free and offers nonpartisan assistance.
Citizenship Requirements
Indiana has flagged thousands of voters for citizenship checks and canceled some registrations. Learn how to check your status before the November election. Read more
Poll Monitors Will Be Present
With voters confused about changing rules and registration, election protection groups are preparing to monitor polls and assist residents in Gary. Read more
Key Ballot Measures
Hoosiers will be faced with two proposed amendments to the Indiana Constitution this election that can heavily impact the way judges in the state operate.
Indiana Public Question 1
Indiana voters will decide whether to make it easier to keep people locked up before trial. Read more
Indiana Public Question 2
Indiana voters will decide whether municipal judges can live outside of the municipality they serve. Read the text of the measure
Key Races
Indiana Secretary of State
What does the secretary of state do?
The secretary of state is Indiana’s chief election officer and oversees elections and how the state’s voter rolls are maintained. The office garnered national attention last year when Secretary of State Diego Morales gave the U.S. Department of Justice the personal information of nearly 5 million registered voters, including their names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.
Who are the candidates?
Morales failed to secure the Republican nomination for a second term after his party’s delegates chose Max Engling, a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Jim Banks. Engling faces Democrat Beau Bayh, former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard from the Lincoln Party, and Libertarian Lauri Shillings.
Engling has made blocking noncitizen voting the center of his campaign. He backs the federal SAVE America Act’s stricter proof-of-citizenship rules and closed party primaries, while his opponents note that noncitizen voting is already illegal in Indiana.
U.S. Representative, District 1
What does the representative do?
Indiana’s 1st District U.S. representative serves as Gary’s voice in Congress. The district includes all of Lake and Porter counties and a portion of LaPorte County.
This federal position can direct millions of dollars for local community projects. In recent years, federal appropriations associated with this office have supported Gary initiatives such as public safety assistance and the demolition of abandoned school buildings.
Who are the candidates?
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan defeated former Gary Common Council member LaVetta Sparks-Wade in the May Democratic primary and will face Republican Barb Regnitz, a Porter County commissioner.
Lake County Sheriff
What does the sheriff do?
The sheriff is responsible for crime prevention, patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, scientific evidence collection, and searches and seizures.
Who are the candidates?
Former Gary Police Chief Jerry Williams survived one of the most crowded primaries on the ballot in May, defeating five other opponents. The Democrat, who has the chance to become the first Black sheriff in Lake County history, is the favorite as he faces Republican David Crane Jr.
Other Races
Capital B will continue adding reporting about other races on the ballot in the coming days.
- State: State Auditor, Treasurer, Indiana state representative
- Lake County: County Council, prosecuting attorney, auditor, treasurer, clerk, assessor, and county commissioner.
- Township: Calumet Township and Township Board.
