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St. Joseph County adds Center Township Library as third satellite early‑voting site after Epic Church withdraws
Summary
Election staff said Center Township Library will serve as a third satellite early‑voting site for the final two weeks of early voting (week of Oct. 21 and week of Oct. 28, including weekends and Nov. 4). Epic Church in Mishawaka told officials it will not host the general election because of internal concerns about political activity; the board said a resolution will be needed to change the site list and members raised legal questions about subtracting designated vote centers for the general election.
The St. Joseph County Election Board on Aug. 7 confirmed Center Township Library will be used as a third satellite early‑voting site for the last two weeks of early voting in the general election — the weeks of Oct. 21 and Oct. 28, including weekends and Monday, Nov. 4.
"They have stepped up to the plate and have given us the opportunity to use them as the 3rd satellite site for early voting," said Chris (election staff), announcing the library location at Kern Road and Miami. Staff said the hours will match the county’s other satellite and county‑building locations.
Chris also told the board that Epic Church, which served as a site during the primary in Mishawaka, has decided not to host the general election. "They went into it … and then political views got kind of in mix and in dividing within their church community," Chris said, summarizing the church’s rationale.
Staff proposed reducing the total number of designated sites from 42 to 41 and said a resolution will be drafted to change the official list. Board members flagged a potential legal issue: several members said their reading of state law suggests officials may add designated vote centers for a general election but should not subtract previously designated centers without a code‑specified exemption.
"My read of the law is the same as Diana's — you can add to vote centers in the fall; you can't subtract," said Andrew (staff). The board agreed to review the legal question and discuss potential exemptions before finalizing any resolution.
Board members said the new satellite site should help voters on the south side and reduce overflow at the main county‑city building. No formal vote to adopt the change was recorded at the meeting; staff said Andrew is preparing the resolution for a future meeting.
The board also discussed other site searches in Mishawaka and noted that churches have been used historically but may present recurring logistical and community‑division risks. Officials said they will revisit site planning for future election cycles.
The Election Board did not take a formal vote on the resolution at the Aug. 7 meeting; staff were asked to bring the resolution and any legal analysis to a subsequent meeting.
