Saleem El-Amin said he was so eager to vote that he came to the Gary Public Library on Monday thinking early in-person voting had started.
“I like doing it early because it isn’t crowded and get it out the way,” El-Amin, of Gary, said.
Early in-person voting didn’t start Monday, El-Amin found out. It started Tuesday.
Lake County voters can cast their ballot at 11 satellite locations throughout the county. In Gary, the early in-person polling place this year is at the Gary Public Library because the previous polling location, the Genesis Convention Center, has closed, election officials said.
Michelle Fajman, director of the Lake County Election and Voter Registration Board, previously said officials decided to designate the library as the early in-person polling location because it is familiar to voters and it is across the street from the Genesis Center.
At the Genesis Center, a blue-paper sign directs voters to the Gary Public Library’s second floor if voting was in their plans.
El-Amin, 64, was the second person to cast a ballot Tuesday at the library. He said he’s voted in every election since he was eligible to vote and takes great pride in casting his ballot, he said, because it means his voice is heard.
The early voting process is “easy and smooth,” El-Amin said, and voters should take advantage of the opportunity.
“If you don’t want a line, come early so you don’t have to worry about it,” he said.
When a voter comes in, he or she gives the poll workers a driver’s license and signs in on a piece of paper and a tablet, said MariaLuisa Gomez, an election clerk. Then, the voter is taken to one of four voting machines to cast their ballot at the Gary location, she said.
In Gary, the polling location has four workers, each who knows how to work as an election judge or clerk, to assist voters, Gomez said. The first two hours of the day were a little slower, she said, because voters are likely adjusting to the new location.
“It’s going to be slow until everyone realizes we’re here,” Gomez said.
Gomez, who is 45 years old, said she has been working elections since she was 18. She said she enjoys interacting with the voters, recalling working at a polling location in the Miller section of Gary during previous elections and enjoying talking with a voter who had a soothing, powerful voice.
“Every time I see him, I start up conversation,” Gomez said. “I look forward to seeing the usual voters.”
Cindy Moore, an election judge, said this was her first time working at a satellite polling location but she’s worked elections for eight years, usually as an inspector on Election Day. Moore said she enjoys being around people and working the polling location.
“I like people to feel good when they come to a polling place,” Moore said.
Ken Britt, an inspector for the Gary 4-25 precinct, said he voted early in-person because it is “more convenient” for him.
Britt, 65, said he would encourage everyone, especially elderly people, to cast their ballot during early because “it’s less stressful.”
“Every vote counts. People lost their lives so we can vote,” Britt said.
Sherita Smith, of Gary, said she voted to express her support for Calumet Township Trustee Kimberly K. Robinson in the Democatic primary.
“She’s done an excellent job as a trustee and I’d like to continue to see her to do so,” Smith said.
Robinson is facing a challenge from Calumet Township Board President Darren Washington.
Smith, 53, said she’s voted in every election since she has been eligible.
“Every vote counts. Every vote matters. To have your voice heard, you have to vote,” Smith said.
Voters can cast a ballot at these early in-person polling locations:
East Chicago County Courthouse, 3711 Main St., East Chicago
Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Ave., Gary
Winfield Public Library, 10771 Randolph St., Winfield
Hammond County Courthouse, 232 Russell St., Hammond
St. John Assessor’s Office, 9157 Wicker Ave., St. John
Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster
Wicker Memorial Park, Ridge Road and Prairie Avenue, Highland
Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St., Lowell
Hobart Police Community Center, 705 E. 4th St., Hobart
Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., Schererville
Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Office, Room A-205, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point
For all locations other than the election board office, voters can cast a ballot between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Those locations will also be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the two Saturdays before Election Day and 9 a.m. to noon May 2.
The election board office location will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. The election board office will also be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the two Saturdays before Election Day and from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 2.
