Elkhart County outlines central-count layout, media credentialing and staffing ahead of primary; approves poll-worker assignments
May 05, 2026 | Elkhart County, Indiana
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Elkhart County election staff on May 4 briefed the Election Board on central-count operations, media credentials, vendor roles, reporting schedules and staffing ahead of the primary, and the board approved poll-worker assignments.
On the recommendation of the Indiana election division, staff said they redesigned the central-count layout to improve visibility and transparency: ballots and early-voting processing will take place in a secured, cordoned area visible to observers rather than behind a curtain. Media and public observers will be permitted to view processing up to a defined boundary; all observers must carry county-issued credentials. "Media will be allowed with all of their proper credentials," a staff member said, adding that camera operators must also have credentials and may not interfere with voting.
Staff described vendor responsibilities and equipment: ES&S staff will work alongside county personnel during ballot opening and the DS450 tabulator will be used for scanning and tabulation. Reporting to the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) has a latest-post deadline of midnight on election night, with additional reporting resuming the following morning. The central-count schedule calls for a 5 a.m. gather for phone support, ballot teams arriving at 8 a.m. to open and verify absentee ballots, and periodic turnout reports throughout the day.
The board voted to approve poll-worker assignments as filled after the party-chair appointment period closed on April 14; members recorded affirmative votes. Staff acknowledged some remaining staffing gaps earlier in the week but said supervisor coverage is now complete and the county is staffed to handle expected turnout. Security arrangements include a deputy onsite after 4 p.m. while the building remains open.
Staff also noted practical preparations: pink incident-reporting sheets will be made available for tracking voter-support calls, credential lanyards will be issued to board members for identification if they need to visit sites, and bipartisan ballot teams will operate the tables. Board members praised staff and volunteers for their work preparing for the primary.
The board closed the meeting after confirming notices and sample-ballot postings at vote centers and moving to adjourn.
On the recommendation of the Indiana election division, staff said they redesigned the central-count layout to improve visibility and transparency: ballots and early-voting processing will take place in a secured, cordoned area visible to observers rather than behind a curtain. Media and public observers will be permitted to view processing up to a defined boundary; all observers must carry county-issued credentials. "Media will be allowed with all of their proper credentials," a staff member said, adding that camera operators must also have credentials and may not interfere with voting.
Staff described vendor responsibilities and equipment: ES&S staff will work alongside county personnel during ballot opening and the DS450 tabulator will be used for scanning and tabulation. Reporting to the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) has a latest-post deadline of midnight on election night, with additional reporting resuming the following morning. The central-count schedule calls for a 5 a.m. gather for phone support, ballot teams arriving at 8 a.m. to open and verify absentee ballots, and periodic turnout reports throughout the day.
The board voted to approve poll-worker assignments as filled after the party-chair appointment period closed on April 14; members recorded affirmative votes. Staff acknowledged some remaining staffing gaps earlier in the week but said supervisor coverage is now complete and the county is staffed to handle expected turnout. Security arrangements include a deputy onsite after 4 p.m. while the building remains open.
Staff also noted practical preparations: pink incident-reporting sheets will be made available for tracking voter-support calls, credential lanyards will be issued to board members for identification if they need to visit sites, and bipartisan ballot teams will operate the tables. Board members praised staff and volunteers for their work preparing for the primary.
The board closed the meeting after confirming notices and sample-ballot postings at vote centers and moving to adjourn.
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