Lake County Election Board Proposes Precinct Consolidations
The Lake County Board of Elections and Registration has proposed a series of precinct consolidations aimed at resolving splits that arose from a directive issued by Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. In response to a letter from Morales, which emphasized the need to consolidate precincts with fewer than 600 active voters, the board voted to send its plan to the state’s election division for approval.
During a meeting held on July 30, 2023, the board unanimously endorsed 29 precinct consolidations. Additionally, five precinct consolidations were approved by a 3-2 vote along party lines, while one consolidation was passed with a 3-1 vote and one member abstaining.
Morales’ directive, sent in July, stipulated that the board must present a consolidation plan with unanimous approval or allow individual members to propose alternatives if consensus could not be reached. He stated, “It is crucial for the board to maintain order and efficiency in the electoral process.”
According to Michelle Fajman, Director of the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration, the county submitted two reports for precinct consolidation. One came from her on behalf of the board following its vote, while the other was submitted by Jessica Messler, the Republican assistant director. Fajman clarified that the report she submitted was based on the board’s recommendations regarding specific precincts that fell below the 600-voter threshold.
Messler indicated that her report documented public records of the precinct consolidations discussed by the board. “It has been standard practice for both sides to submit a report,” she said, reflecting on the collaborative nature of the process.
The recent changes proposed by the Secretary of State’s office in conjunction with the board’s approved consolidations resulted in several splits. Specifically, eight precincts were consolidated in ways that created divisions affecting various local governance bodies, including the county council and city councils. For instance, the Secretary of State merged Gary 5-13 with Gary 5-16, resulting in a county council split.
Fajman noted that such splits can complicate the voting process. “They can be very confusing for voters and candidates alike, especially as candidates try to engage with constituents in their precincts,” she stated.
The board met again on October 21, 2023, where it voted 3-2 to revert some of the Secretary of State’s changes, directing the office to restore the precinct consolidations to the original proposal approved on July 30. Now, the election division will review these proposals for final approval.
If the proposals receive the necessary endorsements, officials will issue notices regarding the precinct consolidations. Should the election division find issues with the proposals, a hearing will be scheduled to address any concerns.
This ongoing process reflects the board’s commitment to ensuring a streamlined electoral process in Lake County, aiming to minimize confusion and enhance voter engagement in upcoming elections.
