Lake County Board of Elections Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Lake County Board of Elections met on March 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Commissioner's Courtroom in Crown Point, Indiana. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, several election complaints, polling location changes, campaign finance delinquencies, adoption of resolutions for the upcoming primary election, and updates on pending litigation. The board recognized retiring member Michael Mellon with a plaque for 13 years of service and welcomed new member Charlene Foss Eggman.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 24, 2026 meeting were approved by voice vote with one abstention.
• Polling Location Changes: Approved changes for Highland 20 (from Meadows Park to United Church of Christ) and Lake Station 8 (to Community Presbyterian Church). The proposed change for St. John 4 was rescinded.
• Campaign Finance – CFA 1 Reports: For candidates who appeared before the board (Alfredo Manchaka and Will Miller), the board imposed the statutory maximum fine of $20 and then immediately reduced it to $10 per candidate under the interest of justice provision. The motion carried unanimously.
• Campaign Finance – Annual Reports: The board approved the staff-recommended fines for all delinquent annual reports as listed on the three-page report, subject to reductions for those present. The motion to impose maximum fines carried, followed by a unanimous reduction motion.
• Movers Contract: Approved the contract for moving voting machines and ADA equipment for the primary election, with a note to review an outdated affirmative action clause in future contracts.
• County Election Board Authorization: Approved state system updates and SVRS authorization (items 5.8A and 5.8B).
• Purchase Orders: Approved purchase orders over $1,000.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Election Complaint 2025-16 – Barnhart v. Kouros: Susie Barnhart (complainant) and Anastasia Kouros (respondent) each testified. Barnhart alleged improper setup of polling equipment without bipartisan oversight, lack of notification, and unprofessional conduct. Kouros acknowledged she should have given more notice but stated she acted based on training. The board heard from both parties and from board counsel regarding Indiana Code sections 3-6-6-1 and 3-11-14-17.
• Public Comment (General): Kathy Worley of Highland urged the board not to blame trainers for inspector performance, noting that training emphasizes calling procedures.

Discussion Items

• Election Complaint 2025-16 – Barnhart v. Kouros: After deliberation, the board found the matter to be a training issue rather than a willful election law violation. A motion to dismiss the complaint passed 3-2 (Members Foss, Brown, Smith in favor; Reed and Candelaria Reardon opposed). The board acknowledged that while a technical violation may have occurred (setup without the assigned judge present), no punitive action was warranted.
• Early Voting Sites (Resolution 2026-03): The board received late requests to change early voting locations in Wicker Park, Tri Creek, and St. John. After discussion, the board decided to maintain the existing early voting sites for the primary election and to consider the proposed changes for the general election. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Student Poll Workers (Resolution 2026-02): The board approved the resolution allowing 16- and 17-year-old students to serve as poll workers, with an amendment to allow digital or in-person training as determined by the training coordinator.
• Voter Registration Drive Memorandum: The board acknowledged a memorandum regarding a registration drive that turned in applications after the 10-day statutory window; it was noted for record-keeping purposes only.
• Counsel Reports: Attorney Brandenburg reported that the Smith v. LCBER hearing is scheduled for March 19, and the Schmitt v. LCBER petition has been withdrawn.

Key Outcomes

• Spangenburg v. Murphy (2026-0): Continued to a future date coordinated by the parties due to respondent's health issues.
• Jarzombek v. Kil (2025-??): Continued to April 2026 at the request of the complainant.
• Campaign Finance Delinquencies: Fines were imposed and then reduced as follows:
  • Annual reports: Most fines reduced to $10 per the staff recommendation, except for Joshua Dagnan, whose fine was reduced to $0 if he files campaign close-out paperwork by the end of the week (otherwise $100).
  • Resolutions 2026-01 (combined polling places), 2026-02 (student poll workers), 2026-03 (early voting), and 2026-04 (deputy election commissioners) all passed unanimously.
• Movers Contract: Approved and recommended to the County Commissioners.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Commissioner's Court, to include public testing of voting machines.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:01 PM.