Opponents of the measure claimed it is unconstitutional special legislation because the precinct consolidation mandate only applies to Lake County.
Senate Enrolled Act 220 will result in fewer polling locations for the residents of northwest Indiana, thus making it more difficult for Hoosiers to cast their ballots.
Governor mandates consolidation of Lake County election precincts
INDIANAPOLIS — A new law signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb will eliminate up to half of Lake County's election precincts, primarily in Hammond, East Chicago and Gary.
Senate Enrolled Act 220, which took effect immediately, establishes a bipartisan committee tasked with devising by June 1 a preliminary plan for merging as many precincts as possible that have fewer than 600 active voters.
Under the new law, should county election officials fail to submit an agreed upon precinct consolidation plan to the state by Aug. 1, then the Indiana Election Commission will act to reduce the county's precinct count.
The goal, according to state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, the sponsor, is to bring Lake County's precincts closer to the statewide average of 1,200 voters each.
That will save thousands of dollars every election year by reducing polling place staffing and equipment costs at voting sites that see only a handful of ballots cast on Election Day, he said.
Records show Lake County has the most small precincts in Indiana with 283 of its 523 precincts recording fewer than 600 active voters.
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