Gary voters were greeted with steady rain and clouds on primary election day. While there is no presidential race on the ballot, several key federal, county and local contests are expected to shape life in Gary and across Lake County.
In the 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan faces a challenge from former Gary Common Council member Lavetta Sparks-Wade. The Democratic primary for Lake County sheriff is crowded, with the possibility of the county electing its first Black sheriff or first woman sheriff. Voters are also weighing Lake County Council and township board races.
As the afternoon wore on, several precincts saw a sharp uptick in turnout before the polls closed. At Roosevelt Pavilion, the Aetna neighborhood’s Miracle Temple Church and into Miller at Marquette Park, more voters arrived in the final hours.
Throughout the day, Capital B Gary reporters fanned out across the city, visiting polling sites, providing live updates, and capturing the voices of voters, poll workers, and volunteers.
Marquette Park United Methodist Church
The flow of voters picked up after lunch, volunteers said, thanks in part to people arriving after their work shifts.
Marcy Lewis and Alan Aimes are among the Gary residents volunteering today to help guide voters through the process. Both cast their ballots early, avoiding the pressure of election day.
“I’m more excited to see a bigger turnout of voters than me voting,” Aimes said. A frequent voter, he said he hopes more residents recognize the importance of showing up.
With a steady flow throughout the day, both said they expect a rush later.
“They have to be the change they want to see, and we need people in office who are actually looking out for residents and have their best interests at heart,” Lewis said. “It starts with local elections, so we’ve got to get someone downstate to represent us.”
Gary Public Library
At the Gary Public Library on Fifth Avenue, Gary’s only early voting location, poll workers entered the day expecting more traffic than they had seen during the early voting period.
“It’s been on the slow side during the last few weeks, but election day is like the Super Bowl,” said Tommy Schuler, who has worked the location for multiple years.
A steady stream of voters, including Gladys Mills, stopped to vote on their way to work.
“I usually vote early, but things got busy this year, so I knew I was coming today,” she said. “My umbrella was ready just in case.”
The public library serves a large share of residents in the downtown area. Polls will remain open until 6 p.m. at all locations.
Fire Station 9
Curtis Ward and Charles Blacknell sat among a dozen election helpers outside Fire Station 9 at 761 Clark Road, soaking up the warmth of the afternoon sun.
Both voted before starting their shift.
For Ward, getting out to vote was ingrained in his blood by his father, who often calls him out if he finds out he hasn’t voted yet.
“So if you don’t like what they do, go out there and vote,” he said, adding that he dislikes when people say they don’t vote but still speak negatively about the city. “Go out and vote. Don’t talk about it, be about it.”
Blacknell said he felt the same way.
“That’s the only way you really can get a change in the city,” he said.
Tolleston Pavilion
Kayla Tillman stood outside her car, guiding residents into the Tolleston Pavilion as the sun began to break through the clouds.
An election worker and advocate for her husband, Larry Tillman II, who is running for the Calumet Township Board, she said voting remains critical.
“I think it’s super important for our voices to be heard,” she said. “Even when they say the vote doesn’t matter, it does.”
She added that, as Black votes face efforts to stifled them, it’s important to “combat that by voting.”
Later, Ron Caldwell walked out of the pavilion with his head high and a pep in his step after casting his ballot.
“My ancestors died so I could vote,” he said. When asked why voting was so important, he said it was “progress” that brought him out.
Concord Commons
As the rain fell, voters walked in and out of the Concord Commons apartment complex with umbrellas and a determination to cast their ballots.
Charles Halliday, 67, was among the poll volunteers assisting voters. Surrounded by local campaign signs, he moved between the sidewalk and street, pointing people in the right direction.
“It’s important that people get out and vote,” he said.
As people walked into the apartment complex, he handed out small candy treats.
“We still got more coming,” he said, looking around. He added that, because of the fight of our forefathers to secure the right to vote, everyone needs to get out and cast their ballot.
Rayshonda Moore and Zaria Smith walked up the narrow walkway to the voting site.
“You have to get out and use your voice,” Smith said. “Complaining won’t bring change. If you don’t vote, then you can’t complain about what’s going on, because you aren’t trying to make change.”
At 24, she is not new to the voting process but understands the importance of coming to the polls.
Moore shared a similar sentiment. A homeowner and city resident, she said she is concerned about issues such as rising property taxes and who holds offices like treasurer, auditor, and sheriff.
“Somebody who is honest, fair, and will do what’s right for the people,” Moore said when asked what she hopes to see from the election.
“Someone who really cares about people and wants to see change in our community for the better,” Smith said.
Love Feast Church of God in Christ
Gary Common Council President Linda Barnes-Caldwell was at Love Feast Church of God in Christ early Tuesday morning, making her way to check on polling locations as acting chair of precincts.
Barnes-Caldwell said it is important to vote to choose national and local representation.
“Just look at our president in office,” she said.
Locally, Barnes-Caldwell said the election could result in Lake County electing its first Black sheriff, with Jerry Williams and Edward Jenkins on the ballot. She said she is supporting Williams.
Husband and wife Johnny and Gail Tubbs voted early Tuesday morning.
“I just want to make sure I exercise my voting rights,” Gail Tubbs said, wearing an “I Voted” sticker pinned to her jacket. “I know there are new people who want to get in, and I want to make sure we keep the good politicians in office.”
West Side Leadership Academy
The steady rain didn’t dampen the spirits of campaign volunteers early Tuesday morning outside West Side Leadership Academy. There, Timothy Mack, 41, of Gary, greeted the few voters who showed up while hoisting a sign for Lake County sheriff candidate Jerry Williams.
“This is light rain. A little drizzle shouldn’t stop folks from getting out here to vote,” Mack said.
West Side is one of the 2nd District’s three polling locations.
This story has been updated.
