The Lake County Board of Elections and Registration voted to defer a Gary polling location change after Republican members asked for the GOP precinct chairman to weigh in.
The Steel City Gary Precinct Organization Chairman and Lake County Clerk Michael Brown said the committee would like the Pachter Park Pavilion polling place to be moved to Love Feast Church of God in Christ, 2456 Chase Street in Gary, according to an Oct. 15 letter he submitted to Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Director Michelle Fajman.
Fajman said at Tuesday’s meeting that the Pachter Park Pavilion location had no water or working bathrooms during the 2024 presidential election. Gary city officials have told election officials they don’t plan to make upgrades to the pavilion, Fajman said.
Lake County Board of Elections and Registration Assistant Director Jessica Messler recommended that the polling place should be moved to Frankie Woods McCullough Academy, 3757 W. 21st Avenue, Gary.
In a report to the board, Messler stated the school is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, wouldn’t require a rental fee, and is a 12-minute walk from the nearest train station. In 2024, Lake County paid $14,500 for property rentals of privately owned polling locations, like union halls or churches,
Brown said the precinct committee preferred the Love Feast Church because it is also ADA-compliant with a “more convenient” location.
“I live in Gary. From my standpoint as precinct committeeman and chairman and as a citizen, this is the best location,” Brown said.
Republican board member Mike Mellon said Republican leaders have found the school as the better option because it is ADA compliant and includes “free rent.”
Board member Mara Candelaria Reardon said she understands the cost savings in having a polling location inside a school building. But she doesn’t support having polling locations inside of schools “in today’s political climate,” Candelaria Reardon said.
“I don’t think it’s all that great,” Candelaria Reardon said.
The idea of not using schools in an election was “horrifying” to him, Mellon said. Candelaria Reardon said she was voicing her opinion not a board policy.
Several Northwest Indiana districts have e-learning days on primary and general election dates, so students are not present in the building to avoid security issues.
Board attorney Michael Tolbert said as someone who grew up in Gary he believes the church offers convenience near the highway and is safer compared to the school.
Fajman said the polling location change would be made for the 2026 election. Mellon said that gives the board time to consider the change.
The board voted 5-0 to defer the polling location change to the November meeting after Mellon requested that the Republican precinct committee chair can weigh in.
