Illinois will not have to turn over its statewide voter registration database to the U.S. Department of Justice after a federal judge dismissed the government’s lawsuit Friday, leaving the personal information of roughly 8 million registered voters protected. U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless ruled that the Justice Department lacks the legal authority under the Civil […]
Voting Rights
From Gary and Northwest Indiana to the Statehouse, decisions about voting and representation shape Black communities and how much political power they hold. Capital B Gary is tracking those decisions, the people affected by them, and what comes next.
For more on voting rights across the country, explore our Voting Rights in America coverage.
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy
Lake County’s Primary Reveals a Stark Divide in Who Shows Up to Vote
Despite a primary ballot that featured a historic race for Lake County sheriff and several competitive county council contests, voter turnout across Lake County remained sluggish on May 5, with most communities failing to surpass 20%. Just 16% of the county’s more than 367,000 registered voters cast ballots, according to Lake County Board of Elections […]
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy
Gary Primary Election Turnout Was Very Different Across Districts
Voter turnout in Gary’s 2026 primary election varied widely across precincts, with clear gaps between council districts. In some locations, participation far exceeded the county average, while others saw only a small percentage of registered voters cast ballots. An examination of registered voters, ballots cast on election day, and overall turnout percentages shows how civic […]
Posted inElections, Local Government, Politics & Policy, State Government
Early Voting Underway in Indiana as Gary Voters Decide Key Local Races
The 2026 midterm voting season kicked off in Indiana this week as polls opened for early voting to considerably less fanfare than the last time voters gathered here to vote in 2024. Poll workers sat idle for most of the morning into the afternoon before placing their lunch orders as voters trickled in at a […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
Senate Rejects Early Redistricting; Indiana Voters Remain in Current Districts
In a 31-19 vote, Indiana’s controversial early redistricting push hit an unexpected wall Thursday, as the state Senate declined to move forward with a vote that would have finalized a new congressional map targeting the state’s two Democratic-held districts in Northwest Indiana and Indianapolis. The House passed the plan earlier this week, but the Senate’s […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
White House Pressure Fails as Indiana Lawmakers Reject Early Redistricting Push
Gary’s political representation is safe for now after Indiana lawmakers shelved a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional maps, a change that could have reshaped Northwest Indiana’s Democratic-leaning 1st District. Senate Republicans backed away from the plan last week despite months of pressure from the president, vice president and, more recently, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Braun Calls Lawmakers Back for Session that Could Alter Gary’s Political Future
Gov. Mike Braun on Monday called a special legislative session to consider redrawing Indiana’s congressional map, setting up a potential political fight that could alter the balance of political power in Northwest Indiana and reshape the state’s electoral balance for years to come. The session, scheduled to begin next week, is being called to “protect […]
Posted inPartner Content, Politics & Policy
Trump Talks Directly With Indiana Senate Republicans in Redistricting Bid
This story was originally published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle President Donald Trump spoke with Indiana Senate Republicans on a Friday morning phone call in the latest effort to pressure Hoosier GOP legislators to redistrict the state congressional map early. The call was first reported by The New York Times Friday afternoon. Molly Swigart, communications […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Indiana Republicans Consider Redistricting That Could Weaken Gary’s Political Power
Indiana Republicans are weighing whether to redraw the state’s congressional map outside the normal 10-year cycle, a move that could weaken Democratic power in Northwest Indiana and reshape the state’s political balance. No formal proposal has been introduced, but conversations inside the Statehouse have intensified following Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Indianapolis last week, […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy, State Government
How New Congressional Maps May Reshape Gary’s Political Future
Every 10 years, congressional maps that decide who holds power in Congress are redrawn. This year, however, talk of an early redistricting threatens to shift that balance. After a heavily publicized visit to Indiana earlier this month by Vice President JD Vance, who discussed redistricting with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Indiana Republicans traveled this week […]
