What’s on the ballot? What’s at stake?
At the top of the ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are vying for the presidency in a race that could have an enormous impact on the future of reproductive rights, the U.S. Supreme Court, and democracy itself.
In the governor’s race between Mike Braun and Jennifer McCormick, education, the future of property tax in the state, and the way municipalities generate revenue for services hang in the balance.
Gary voters will be selecting their state representation, headlined by the District 3 state Senate seat vacated by Mayor Eddie Melton in a race that features Democratic Gary Councilman Mark Spencer and Republican Will Miller. Their respective primary victories ensure the seat will remain in the hands of a Gary resident.
Other races include incumbents state Rep. Ragen Hatcher and state Rep. Vernon Smith, who will face Leslie Dallner and Ivan Ursery II, respectively.
There is one statewide referendum on the ballot. The ballot measure is a constitutional amendment to remove the office of superintendent of public instruction from being sixth in line for gubernatorial succession. In Indiana, a bill must pass both houses of the state legislature with a simple majority during two successive legislative sessions to be placed on the ballot. If a majority of voters approve the measure, it will become a part of the state constitution.
Related Coverage:
- Valerie McCray’s Historic Bid For U.S. Senate – Capital B Gary
- How Indiana’s Governor’s Race Could Determine Gary’s Budget – Capital B Gary
- Q+A w/ Jennifer McCormick, Democratic Nominee for Governor – Capital B Gary
Can I vote by mail? What do I need to know?
Yes. The deadline to request a mailed ballot is Oct. 24. The request can be made one of four ways:
- appear in the office of the county election board
- call the county election board to request an application
- email the county election board at lcabsenteevoting@lakecountyin.org
- visit the online portal through the Office of Indiana Secretary of State (www.IndianaVoters.com)
The completed application may be returned to the Indiana Election Division or to the county election board prior to the deadline at the top of the application form:
- hand-delivery or mail to 2293 N. Main St., Ste A-205, Crown Point, IN 46307
- email to lcabsenteevoting@lakecountyin.org
- fax to (219) 755-3801
Your ballot must be received by the county election board no later than 6 p.m. (local prevailing time) on Election Day. Please contact the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration if you did not receive your mail-in ballot (in a timely manner) after submitting your application.
Can I vote early or before Election Day?
Early voting began on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Hoosiers can vote early until Nov. 4.
Gary residents can begin early voting at the Gary Public Library, the city’s only early voting location, during the following hours:
- 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Nov. 4 (Monday before election day)
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 2
Gary residents can also vote early at any of these other Lake County early voting locations:
- Lake County Board of Elections
- East Chicago County Courthouse
- Hammond County Courthouse
- Hobart Police Center
- Lowell Town Hall
- Munster Town Hall
- Schererville Town Hall
- St. John Township Assessor’s Office
- Wicker Park Breezeway
- Winfield Government Complex
If I vote in person, what do I need to know?
Indiana does not allow in-person registration on Election Day, so prospective voters need to have registered by the Oct. 7 deadline.
To vote in person, voters are required to present identification. That ID must meet the following four criteria:
- The ID must display a voter’s photo.
- The voter’s name must conform (not match identically) to the name on the voter registration file.
- The voter’s ID must contain an expiration date and either be current or have expired after 11/8/22.
- The voter’s ID must be issued by the state of Indiana or the U.S. government.
(Note: The address on the voter’s ID does not need to match the address on the voter registration.)
Election Day Voting Locations
Can’t make it to early voting? Look up your polling location for Election Day and make a plan! There will be nearly 30 polling sites in Gary for the election on Nov. 5. Below, we have compiled a full list of Gary’s voting locations:
