LaPorte County election board weighs trimming vote centers, prioritizing higher‑traffic sites

LaPorte County election officials discussed adjustments to the county’s vote center plan on Jan. 23 as they prepare for the 2026 election year, focusing on consolidating low‑attendance locations and preserving high‑capacity sites such as the county fairgrounds.

The board emphasized that the county must maintain at least eight vote centers. An unidentified board member who stated they serve as the board’s secretary said the requirement: “we are required to have 8 vote centers within LaPorte County,” and described the county’s transition from 38 centers after a 2023 change to the vote‑center model.

Board members raised safety and traffic concerns at certain sites. The Center Township fire station was cited as having become crowded and difficult to enter and exit, prompting the township’s trustees and the fire department to request removal as a vote center. The secretary said the fairgrounds “could fit 25 machines in that location easily,” while noting smaller sites such as an 8th Street location in Michigan City could only support about six or seven machines.

Members asked for and were told staff would provide usage statistics for each center to guide decisions about potential closures or relocations. No binding changes were adopted; the board said the vote center plan is likely to be amended and voted on at multiple future meetings and that any amendment would be handled through the board’s standard process.

The discussion underscored a balance board members said they want to strike between convenient local access and efficient staffing and safety at higher‑volume sites. The board did not set a final list of sites at the Jan. 23 meeting.