Elkhart County election board approves 2026 primary vote-center plan, adds Pathway Church in Middlebury
March 21, 2026 | Elkhart County, Indiana
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The Elkhart County Election Board on March 20 approved a list of vote centers for the 2026 primary that replaces one unavailable site and designates Pathway Church in Middlebury for Saturday early voting.
Amy Sugar from voter registrations told the board that almost every proposed location had confirmed approval for use in the election but that River of Life was no longer available because its building had been sold. Sugar said Pathway Church, located on U.S. 20 between the high school and Heritage Road, would be a "very good facility" and recommended using both the American Legion Post 210 and Pathway Church as two separate vote centers in Middlebury to reduce lines.
"It was our second-busiest location on election day [in 2024]," Sugar said of Middlebury. "If we were to have gotten everybody through within the 12 hours of election day, we would have had to run two voters per clerk every single minute." She recommended that Pathway Church be used for the Saturday early voting schedule because it currently has no scheduling conflicts; the American Legion serves a meal at 5 p.m., which could create a time constraint if voting runs late.
Board members raised concerns about utilities and past leaks at some facilities, and Sugar noted the Fraternal Order of Police hall could not house equipment over the weekend because it is rented out and the organization does not accept deliveries the week prior. Board members said those storage and electrical issues would need to be worked out if the FOP site were used.
The Chair and board members discussed timing and public notice, with one member saying late changes could confuse regular voters and suggesting that, beyond removing River of Life now, other changes could be deferred until the general election so voters have time to be notified.
After confirming the logistics and that equipment could be transferred to Pathway Church if needed, a board member moved to approve the list of vote centers as presented; the Chair seconded, the board approved by voice vote. The Chair then called for and received a motion and second to adjourn.
The board recorded that, after the swap and additions, the county would have 29 vote centers for the primary. No members of the public offered comment during the public-comment period.
The meeting was adjourned following the approval.
Amy Sugar from voter registrations told the board that almost every proposed location had confirmed approval for use in the election but that River of Life was no longer available because its building had been sold. Sugar said Pathway Church, located on U.S. 20 between the high school and Heritage Road, would be a "very good facility" and recommended using both the American Legion Post 210 and Pathway Church as two separate vote centers in Middlebury to reduce lines.
"It was our second-busiest location on election day [in 2024]," Sugar said of Middlebury. "If we were to have gotten everybody through within the 12 hours of election day, we would have had to run two voters per clerk every single minute." She recommended that Pathway Church be used for the Saturday early voting schedule because it currently has no scheduling conflicts; the American Legion serves a meal at 5 p.m., which could create a time constraint if voting runs late.
Board members raised concerns about utilities and past leaks at some facilities, and Sugar noted the Fraternal Order of Police hall could not house equipment over the weekend because it is rented out and the organization does not accept deliveries the week prior. Board members said those storage and electrical issues would need to be worked out if the FOP site were used.
The Chair and board members discussed timing and public notice, with one member saying late changes could confuse regular voters and suggesting that, beyond removing River of Life now, other changes could be deferred until the general election so voters have time to be notified.
After confirming the logistics and that equipment could be transferred to Pathway Church if needed, a board member moved to approve the list of vote centers as presented; the Chair seconded, the board approved by voice vote. The Chair then called for and received a motion and second to adjourn.
The board recorded that, after the swap and additions, the county would have 29 vote centers for the primary. No members of the public offered comment during the public-comment period.
The meeting was adjourned following the approval.
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