Lake County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Lake County Board of Elections and Voter Registration met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner's Courtroom in Crown Point, Indiana. The meeting was called to order with a quorum present, including members by proxy. The board honored retiring employee Ruth Ann Hoagland and recognized staff achievements before proceeding through a full agenda of election administration items.

Recognition and Awards

• The board unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Ruth Ann Hoagland for over 27 years of dedicated public service, effective April 6, 1999. A certificate of appreciation was presented.
• Congratulations were extended to Lori O'Day (Assistant Voter Registration Supervisor) and Kelly DePiero (Campaign Finance Officer) for graduating from Indiana's Certificate in Election Administration, Technology and Security (CEATS) program. Additionally, Kelly DePiero received an honorable mention for the 2025 Cleary Award for her project, "Proactive Absentee Ballot Error Prevention Initiative."

Approval of Minutes

• Board Meeting Minutes – April 7, 2026: Approved on a motion by Clerk Brown, seconded by Mr. Eichner. Chairman Smith abstained as he was not present. Motion carried.
• Board Meeting Minutes – May 14, 2026: Approved on a motion by Ms. Foss-Eggemann, seconded by Clerk Brown. Two abstentions were noted for Mr. Eichner and Ms. Candelaria-Reardon. Motion carried with three affirmative votes.

Old Business

• CEB 9 County Election Report for May 5, 2026 Primary: The board approved the final election report to be sent to the state. Key statistics: 367,284 registered voters; 40,381 voted in-person on Election Day; 19,484 voted absentee by mail, travel board, in-person, and military overseas; total votes cast: 59,865. Clerk Brown emphasized the importance of voter confidence and encouraged turnout for the November election. The report was approved unanimously.

New Business

• School City of Whiting Referendums: The board considered two separate public questions for the Whiting school district.
  1. Operating Referendum (Title 20): The board accepted the findings and final determination from the DLGF (dated June 3, 2026) and made arrangements to place the question on the ballot. Motion by Clerk Brown, seconded by Mr. Eichner, carried.
  2. Capital Referendum (Resolution 2026-06, Title 6): The board approved the ballot language and directed it to be forwarded to the DLGF for final approval. Motion by Ms. Candelaria-Reardon, seconded by Mr. Eichner, carried. Counsel noted that any minor tweaks required by the DLGF could be handled administratively without returning to the board.
• Campaign Finance: Kelly DePiero presented a list of 25 committees with late campaign finance reports. The first six were recommended for waiver (four under five days late, and Libertarian Roby who disbanded and had no activity). The next 16 had recommended reduced fines ranging from $160 to $10 based on lateness. The final three had not turned in reports and were recommended for a $25 fine each. No members of the public were present on campaign finance matters. The board first voted unanimously to impose statutory fines, then voted unanimously (roll call) to reduce the fines in the interest of justice as recommended.
• County Authorization: The board approved an authorization for the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) to update candidate offices and precinct boundaries for the Tri-Creek School Corporation due to reorganization. Approved unanimously.

Correspondence

• MicroVote Voting Panel Update: Steve Shammo, General Manager of MicroVote, informed the board that current voting panels are 20–22 years old and nearing end of life. He requested a formal process to examine the quantity of panels needed and the associated peripheral equipment. Discussion ensued about costs ($2,800 per panel), versus replacing the entire voting device, and about lead times (approximately seven months from order to delivery). A study committee was formed, consisting of board members Ms. Foss-Eggemann and Ms. Candelaria-Reardon, to work with staff and coordinate with the county council and commissioners on budgeting and technical options.

Poll Worker Training

• The board discussed the transition to online poll worker training, noting both successes and challenges. Members expressed support for retaining at least one in-person training session and requiring new inspectors to attend in-person. Clerk Brown emphasized the importance of personal interaction. Staff committed to continuing in-person options and improving the online modules. The board then ratified payments for poll workers for both training and Election Day service. Motion by Clerk Brown, seconded by Ms. Candelaria-Reardon, carried.

Purchase Orders

• The board reviewed and approved purchase orders as presented. Ms. Foss-Eggemann raised a question about the 400 Black Horse Enterprises item for $7,892, which was clarified as training manuals. After discussion, the motion to approve carried.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carol Parker (Highland): Expressed concerns about poll worker training and compliance. She noted that a public records request showed only 2 of 17 precincts in Highland had poll workers correctly sign affidavits. She requested that key affidavits be emailed to workers ahead of time, that a standard setup time be established the day before elections, and that in-person training be required for new workers. She also urged better communication from the board to poll workers.
• Lucy Sadlowski (Gary Poll Worker Coordinator): Described challenges recruiting and retaining poll workers, particularly students who had negative experiences with inspectors. She endorsed in-person training, especially for new workers and senior citizens, and requested that training materials be made available early. She also noted that some inspectors had workers sign affidavits before tasks were performed.
• Jeff Rosignal (Highland): Supported in-person training and shared personal experiences of family members being treated poorly by an inspector at Wilbur Wright School in Munster. He also raised a procedural concern: he alleged that Clerk Brown, a contested candidate in the primary, participated in counting provisional ballots, which he claimed violated IC 3-11.7-3-2. No formal response was made during the meeting.

Key Outcomes

• New Study Committee: Formed to evaluate voting panel replacement options, including cost, technology, and budgeting, with a focus on readiness for the 2028 presidential election.
• Referendums Approved: Both the School City of Whiting operating and capital referendum questions were placed on the ballot, with the capital language forwarded to the DLGF.
• Campaign Fines Imposed and Reduced: Statutory fines were imposed on 25 committees, then reduced according to staff recommendations.
• Poll Worker Payments Ratified: All training and Election Day payments were approved retroactively.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner's Courtroom.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:11 a.m.