Election Board unanimously approves vote centers

New model to take effect with 2027 municipal elections

The Hamilton County Election Board voted unanimously on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to transition from traditional precinct-based voting to a countywide Vote Center model beginning with the 2027 Municipal Elections.

Under the new system, Hamilton County voters will no longer be required to cast their ballot at an assigned precinct on Election Day. Instead, they will be able to vote at any designated Vote Center in the county.

Hamilton County currently operates 102 polling sites. Under the approved plan, the county will establish 57 Vote Centers – more than double the 28 locations required by state law based on Hamilton County’s registered voter population.

“This gives voters more flexibility while allowing us to build an election system that can better accommodate Hamilton County’s continued growth,” County Clerk Kathy Kreag Williams said. “Beginning next year, voters can choose the Vote Center that works best for them rather than being tied to one specific location.”

The unanimous vote marks a change from last year, when the proposal fell one vote short of the unanimous approval required. Ray Adler, the Republican appointee to the Election Board, voted against the proposal at that time, saying he wanted to see how Vote Centers worked in Allen County before making such a significant change in Hamilton County.

“I had concerns last year because this is a major change that will affect hundreds of thousands of voters,” Adler said. “We’ve had another year to study the process, learn from other counties, and strengthen our own plan. I’m comfortable that we’re ready to move forward.”

Greg Purvis, the Democratic appointee to the Election Board, supported the proposal last year and again voted in favor of it Tuesday.

“We didn’t all start in the same place on this issue, but we took the time to work through the concerns and get to a plan we could all support,” Purvis said. “That’s how this process should work. Now we can focus on making sure voters understand the change and are prepared for 2027.”

The change will first be implemented during the 2027 Municipal Elections, giving election officials an opportunity to refine the process before the higher-turnout 2028 Presidential Election.

A key part of the plan is the renewed participation of Hamilton County’s local school districts. Several districts had previously stopped serving as polling locations because of security concerns, but all have now agreed to once again host voting locations throughout the county.

“One of the biggest reasons this proposal works is because our local school districts have stepped up as partners once again,” Williams said. “By opening their buildings as Vote Centers, they’re helping ensure voters across Hamilton County have a convenient place to cast their ballot close to home.”

Williams authored Indiana’s original Vote Center legislation while serving in the Indiana House of Representatives.

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View from inside the Vote Center meeting

By RAY ADLER
Election Board Member

Hamilton County becomes the 73rd county to adopt voting centers.

Voting Centers will be primarily in local schools, so there will be a consistent location. Voters can vote at any of the centers, no matter where they live.

Steve Baranyk spoke in favor, specifically citing the ease of finding a voting place, the elimination of voters showing up at the wrong voting location, and not having time to get to the right polling place before it closed. Regarding the choice to put locations at schools, Baranyk said making sure there will be adequate parking and handicapped access are important.

Jennifer Fallis of Westfield, a recent resident, was in favor. She noted it would be easier to find a location to vote, and that vote centers would encourage more youth to vote.

Lisa Dick represented the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County, opining that the League wanted easy access and secure voting with no possibility of voter fraud. She remarked on the convenience and bringing out the youth vote.

Janet Chandler, a former government teacher, noted that when she had to arrive at work early, it was sometimes difficult to find time to vote.

Before coming to the Election Board, the proposal was unanimously supported by both the Hamilton County Commissioners and the Hamilton County Council.

The next meeting of the Election Board will be the public test of voting machines 10 a.m. Oct. 2 at 609 Westfield Road, Noblesville. That location is just between Ace Hardware and Dollar General.