Donna Brandon sat at the downtown bus stop, her face lined with worry. Despite her intention to vote, there was a catch: she still didn’t have a photo ID.
“I want to vote,” she said. “I really do. I’m just having a hard time with my ID.”
For her, the hurdles go beyond paperwork — voting feels intimidating, not only because of logistical barriers but because of the reception she expects. “I just think they should be friendlier,” she added, referring to her experiences with poll workers.
Gary’s voter turnout has steadily declined since the 2008 general election, when 70% of eligible voters cast ballots. This year’s primary saw only a 14% turnout, with neighborhoods like Tolleston, Glen Park, and Brunswick reporting double-digit declines. This election season, Capital B Gary went beyond reporting, talking directly with residents in Gary’s low-turnout neighborhoods to understand what’s keeping them from the polls. We spoke with dozens of residents in Glen Park, Midtown, Pulaski, and downtown to learn why they do — or don’t — vote and what might remove the barriers they face.
One resident, 58-year-old Milton Townsell, voiced a sharp frustration. Though he’s registered to vote, he admitted bluntly, “I ain’t waiting in them long-ass lines.”
Like many Gary residents, Townsell is deterred by the perceived inconvenience of long waits associated with Election Day. We offered him a solution: early voting, available at the Gary Public Library and other Lake County locations, remains open until the day before Election Day, with extended Saturday hours.
Our conversations underscored the challenges — some practical, some emotional — behind voting decisions.
Some residents emphasized that the obstacles are not always about willingness but about access. For some, like Brandon, the barriers stem from logistical issues, such as obtaining an ID or feeling unwelcome at polling places. For others, like Townsell, it’s the long lines. And for others, it’s a deeper systemic issue: “I want to vote,” said a resident who asked to remain anonymous, “but sometimes it feels like they just don’t care if we do.”
For one Black couple, the issue was missing the registration deadline despite both wanting to vote. They expressed frustration over the lack of accessible information about registration deadlines and felt that more outreach would help. Another suggested that newspapers could help inform older voters who may not have internet access
Transportation emerged as a significant barrier, especially for older residents. One woman we spoke to said she’s unable to vote because she didn’t have access to a vehicle. Another Gary senior told us he couldn’t register because he didn’t have proper ID or transportation — his only ID was from Florida.
To address these transportation barriers, the Gary Public Transportation Center will be providing free bus rides to polling locations on Election Day.
In the lead-up to Election Day, several community efforts took place to hopefully boost voter engagement. To help first-time voters, the Black Student Union at Indiana University Northwest recently hosted a voter registration drive, hoping to encourage younger generations to participate. And in response to challenges like food insecurity, Gary Common Council member Tai Adkins combined a voter drive with a food giveaway, supporting immediate needs and long-term engagement. Churches even joined the effort by conducting “Souls to the Polls” events throughout the month, organizing trips to polling locations.
We also heard how broader societal and personal issues intertwine in voting motivations. Some residents emphasized the need for better public transportation to improve access to polling sites, while others focused on making sure young people understand what’s at stake.
“It’s about the next generation knowing why it matters,” said one grandmother. “Voting shouldn’t just be for the ones who already have the resources.”
Some residents voiced a need for better outreach and methods to connect with young people.
“I plan on voting,” Will Barkley said. “I don’t know about my nieces and nephews. That’s who matter. That’s who y’all need to be speaking to.” For those looking to learn more, our complete voter guide can be found here with information on polling locations, hours, and other resources to make voting easier this election season.
