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Porter County staff review vote-center performance, suggest consolidations and early-vote changes
Summary
Staff presented initial vote-center usage analysis and recommended considering removal or relocation of low-use sites such as Boone Grove Middle School and reworking early-vote locations including Hebron and the Nerpsy/Nervesy site; staff will develop overlays and maps for further board consideration next month.
Porter County election office staff briefed the Election Board on a review of vote-center activity and said they plan to propose consolidations and early-vote-site changes based on turnout patterns.
Staff said they are compiling turnout data from the 2020, 2022 and 2024 cycles and ranking sites from busiest to least busy. The staff member said the office currently has 44 ballot locations but is required to have only 13 by regulation or internal guidance; staff suggested eliminating persistently underused sites so equipment can be reallocated to busier locations.
Boone Grove Middle School was identified as a consistently low-use site; staff noted the nearby Boone Grove High School is within about 3 miles and is more accessible and visible from major roads. Staff flagged Hebron’s current early-vote site as cramped and suggested either committing the community center for the full early voting period or relocating early voting to a larger facility. Staff also reported the Nerpsy/Nervesy site performed better on the most recent cycle but has planned road changes that could affect future accessibility.
Board members discussed potential costs if the office must rent alternative sites and suggested staff include projected rental costs in next year’s budget if some vote centers are closed. Staff said they plan to produce overlays and maps for the board next month to support decisions.
No formal action was taken; the board encouraged staff to continue analysis and return with overlays and cost estimates for possible changes before the 2026 cycle.
