Warrick County Election Board sets early‑voting window, narrows satellite site options

The Warrick County Election Board voted 3–0 to set the early‑voting window for the 2026 election from April 23 through noon May 4, following discussion about where to locate satellite voting sites.

Board members began by seeking alternatives after one large venue — variously recorded in the meeting as “Freedom Park” and “Freeman Park” — told staff it is booked for weddings through 2028 and is unavailable for 2026. The board then considered other large sites to relieve an overloaded Ohio Township location, including the Ohio Township Library, a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall and Living Word Church.

The board also reviewed statutory language. A member read Indiana Code 3‑11‑10‑26 aloud during the meeting, citing the statute’s requirement that the circuit court clerk designate one clerk’s‑office location available during regular business hours for 28 days. The circuit court clerk who spoke during the meeting said, “As circuit court clerk, I can move it wherever I would like without election board approval.”

After discussing travel distances, continuity for voters and the need to guarantee two Saturdays in the early‑voting window, a member identified in the record as Nancy moved to set the early‑voting period from April 23 through noon May 4; Mike seconded the motion. The board approved it by voice vote, 3–0.

Board members assigned follow‑up tasks: one member will contact the local 104 site, another will reach out to three other potential locations, and another will check availability at a trustee fire station that several members flagged as a strong northeast option. The board said it will report back at the next meeting with confirmed site availability.

The board's action is procedural: it sets the early‑voting calendar and narrows potential satellite sites but leaves final site designations contingent on availability and on the clerk’s statutory authority to designate clerk‑office locations.