Judge keeps early voting in place

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BY BILL DOLAN
bdolan@nwitimes.com
219.662.5328 | Wednesday, October 22, 2008 | (58 comment(s))

HAMMOND | Early voting satellite centers in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago will remain open following a Wednesday ruling in Lake County Superior Court.

Judge Diane Kavadias-Schneider struck down Republican efforts to have the satellite voting locations deemed illegal and shut down and hundreds of votes cast in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago be voided.

The judge granted a petition by Democrats and the United Steelworkers union to keep the sites open on grounds the centers provide better access to early voting to minority communities, which don't have the time or transportation to reach the early voting center in Crown Point.

"If early voting was not offered in the cities of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, the voters in those communities would be the only voters in Indiana who would not by able to vote at a courthouse located in their city of residence," she states in her ruling, which was handed down just before noon.

She denied a petition by the Lake County Republican Party to close voting in those Democratic strongholds because of the potential for vote fraud.

Kavadias-Schneider stated in her ruling, "Regrettably, Lake County has had a history of public corruption and voter fraud," but not enough to warrant disenfranchising voters in the county's three biggest cities.

She ruled that in-person voting is protected by "the strictest voting requirement in all 50 states."

Voters must produce state-issued photo identification and are checked through the state voter registration database. The judge said the database is an added safeguard at the early voting centers that isn't available at Election Day precinct polling places.

She also ruled there have been no reported incidents of vote fraud since the early voting opened Oct. 14 in those cities.

She agreed with arguments offered by Democrats and the United Steelworkers union that voting centers in those three cities offer better access to minorities, which don't have the time or transportation to reach the only other early voting center in suburban Crown Point.

"There is a high probability that if early voting locations did no exist in the cities of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, many residents of those cities would not vote," she ruled. "The balance of hardships weigh heavily in favor of maintaining the status quo and allowing early voting to continue.

Republicans are expected to appeal the ruling.

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, who took advantage of early voting at the Gary site, said, "I am pleased by the judge’s ruling to keep satellite early voting centers open in Lake County and make sure that early votes count. In these difficult economic times, it is good that people don’t have to add getting to the polls on Election Day to their long list of worries."

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Mother of Four wrote on Oct 29, 2008 5:01 PM:

" What is the big deal about getting down to Crown Point? I went to the court house today to get my son's birth certificate and there were 4 Gary Community School buses there bringing students to vote early. Taking time out of class to run down to CP. The wait was 3 hours! When I was in school we had a "practice vote" during library hours to understand the process, then were reminded at the end of class ON election day to go to our polls. I will be voting on Nov 4th. I want as much time to decide who to vote for. I would hate to have voted early only to find out 2 days before election day "my" canidate is aginst some core issue of mine. By the way, if you don't like long lines, move to Newton county, our wait is never more than 45 minutes...for anything! "

WHAT wrote on Oct 28, 2008 9:34 AM:

" EVEN IN THE WILD WEST THE SALOONS WERE CLOSED ON ELECTION DAY....ARE WE NO DIFFERENT OR DO WE THINK WE ARE BETTER??NO LIQUOR SOLD ON ELECTION DAY (S), IS STILL A RULE!!!!!!!!
WAKE UP ELECTION BOARD.............. "

JustDucky wrote on Oct 25, 2008 2:19 PM:

" 32 states now have early voting. From the news, I see the lines already forming - so, what would you think would happen on election day, if they all had to wait until then?

This is the biggest turn-out in history, of registered voters. No way could it be done in one day.

The only thing I am now suspicious of is that E.C. and Hammond's total of earlier voters COMBINED = less than Gary's total of early voters. Which, has me giddy. I'm sure there is something behind that number of record turn-out. Offering free rides at senior centers, food, what-not? "

Only Ok for Republicans wrote on Oct 24, 2008 2:22 PM:

" Republicans in Crown Point have been voting early for weeks. Now everyone is upset that Democrats in Gary and Hammond can vote early as well!
If no-one was voting early-that would be fair, but only allowing early voting in Rebpublican territory is the worst kind of voting fraud. "

Curley wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:08 AM:

" John,

What is that one thing that separates you from the boys of Lake County? Is it Winfield? Is it your desire to develop land in flood plains? Is it a brick? Is it that your ways do not represent the hardworking American? Is it that you rub shoulders with those in power and that you use your position as head of the Republican Party for your own personal gain, just like Palin? You of all people should be humble, but instead, you get your back up against the wall of your own making, when the Dems find a way to get the vote out. Step aside and take it like a man. You cannot assume that all Republicans like you anymore. We don't serve ourselves and Mr. Powell has realized that. Bush has lost his favorite henchman. Powell should not have said anything, as he is not one to be near. Hidden WOMD in 53 footers. Give me a break! That man is a spy and will break ranks as soon as the shooting starts. The Dems are taking the British by storm. "

Mrs. America wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Read the law and the judge's order before "passing judgement" on a correct legal ruling. Like the judge, I also visited the voting centers. People were so excited to be there--old, young, first-time voters, white, black, brown--it was truly democracy at work! Voting is a fundamental right, too many of which have been threatened in the last 8 years. Open more centers instead of closing them. "

Everyone is looking at this wrong wrote on Oct 23, 2008 3:47 PM:

" Everyone is worried satellites will effect the Presidential election. It may, but probably not in Indiana. People need to understand the true push for the satellites. IT'S THE LOCAL ELECTIONS. Who do you think benefits the most from Hammond, Gary and EC getting to vote early? George Van Til, Fran Dupey, Gerry Scheub, etc., etc. The Democratic machine in Lake County will continue on. Remember the Floods Gary, Munster, Highland, and Hammond. "

Dignity wrote on Oct 23, 2008 2:01 PM:

" Republicans just have dignity to vote and then get on with their lives. They do not need to get celebrity endorsements....as if THEY (celebrities) are in touch with the middle class at all....HA! And another thing, the media is turning this into a "race" election. They're beefing up security in cities on election day because they claim the "minorities" will create an uproar when the dems lose. I am black. I am Republican. I couldn't be prouder. NOBAMA. "

american citizen wrote on Oct 23, 2008 11:11 AM:

" I don't know why everyone thinks there are only democrats in Lake County, because Rudy Clay says so? There are more Republicans voting than you think. "

Read before you speak out wrote on Oct 23, 2008 7:15 AM:

" Unlike the vaste majority of you, I took the time to obtain and read a copy of Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider's order BEFORE posting a comment here. I also looked up and read the statute tghat serves as ther basis for her order. A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE COUNTY ELECTION BOARD IS NOT REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH PRE-ELECTION DAY VOTING IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. The Election Board had the legal right to set up voting at all Clerk's office locations and that is exactly what they did. Don't blame the judge for following the law, especially when you haven't read the law. "

to Amy W wrote on Oct 23, 2008 2:40 AM:

" Right on girl! I was wondering the same thing. People also will wait long hours & sometimes days to get in to a concert, catch the sales, meet a celebrity, see a movie, etc. Oh yeah, I forgot...these things are SO much more important than voting for the leader of the nation. NOT! I wonder how these people will feel about waiting in bread lines? "

Independently dumb I can see wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:49 PM:

" There ARE safeguards in place and no you CANNOT vote in more than one location!!

All computers at all voting centers are tied into one another.

Get your facts straight before you start telling lies.

Independent? Oops, no, not at all - I think your (RED) slip is showing!! "

James wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:33 PM:

" Right or wrong, rules are rules. Accessability to vote is very important to many people like the disabled, the military, and people that may be out of town the week of election day. That is why in Indiana we have absentee voting. For the rest of you trying to manipulate the system, I would like to tell you about a couple in Iraq that I met while serving. They walked 42 milesjust to be able to vote. They left 3 days before election day to make sure they got there on time. A bus ride to Crown Point to fill out an absentee ballot is not too much to ask of anyone to do the most sacred of all the American traditions. By the way Tiffany has a great point. If every day is election day I guess all liquor stores should be closed during the hours the satellites are open so that nobody is gotten drunk and told to vote a certain way. Like I said earlier rules are rules. "

I voted today wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:05 PM:

" I sent in my absentee ballot 9/26/08 and never got anything back. I'm leaving tomorrow for a two week business trip out of state. So I stood in line for 1.5 hours today at the Crown Point courthouse.

Mostly the people in line were people who were "curious" and wanted to see what it was like to vote early. They were elderly and had nothing to do and thought the polls would be "busier" on 11/4.

There were FOUR working machines. I just spoke to my friend who voted today in HAMILTON county, which is Noblesville/north-Indianapolis area, and they had TWELVE machines.

How is that possible? Why is that the case? Aaaaagh!

Please vote early for good reason. Please vote normally if you can. Help others. Or not: just VOTE!!! "

Dunewalker wrote on Oct 22, 2008 6:50 PM:

" To Long Hours:

Don't wait for that 7:15pm train. It's now the 7:10!! "

Harold McAbee wrote on Oct 22, 2008 6:11 PM:

" The republicans thought it ok to have early voting in Crown Point where it is mostly republican. "

independent wrote on Oct 22, 2008 6:03 PM:

" In theory, I think that early voting is a great idea. Unfortunately, the probability of fraud is so high it scares me. There are absolutely no safeguards to prevent someone from voting in Gary, East Chicago, Hammond, and then again in Crown Point. Yes, a valid I.D. is used, but it is used again, and again. I would like to be proud of the voting process and democracy as a whole; this is something I am not proud of!! "

sam wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:57 PM:

" the problem is that the LAW states that every county in indiana can have early voting by a majority decision of the bipartisan election board, but specifically designates lake county as a county where it has to be a unanimous election board decision--- this is obviously unfair and unconstitutional! (yes, the indiana state constitution) that is why the judge made the right decision. it doesnt matter anyways since lake county will go democratic regardless of early voting. "

The Right Choice wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:55 PM:

" This is a good thing for Americans as long as safeguards are being put into place. It makes sure that every American citizen has their vote taken into account. People should not be upset by this at all. If you are upset about early voting not being available in your city then do something to make it happen. I don't care what your affiliated party is, the more people that vote, the better. "

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:44 PM:

" I DONT SEE WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS.PEOPLE ARE VERY BUSY WORKING AND DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES. IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO MAKE EARLY VOTING ACCESSIBLE, YES THE LINES WOULD BE LONG, BUT WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO MAKE IT AS CONVIENT AS POSSIBLE.TIMES HAVE CHANGED, WE NEED TO CHANGE WITH THEM.GET OUT AND VOTE,PEOPLE ARE MISSING THE POINT, IT IS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE THAT RIGHT THAT WE HAVE.I AM GLAD THEY RULES AGAINST THIS IDEA OF NOT ALLOWING IT, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FAIR TO THESE CITIZENS OUTSIDE OF CROWN POINT "

TAX PAYER wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:41 PM:

" Most 12 hour manufacturing shifts run 6am to 6pm. These people need time to vote other than on election day. I'm a Republican and I don't have any problem with early voting centers in every town. Anything we can do to make voting easier for everyone should be done. It will make it easier for people who choose to vote on election day like me. We Republicans are already at a disadvantage in Lake County. Spend time on campaigning not fighting easy voting. "

Eddy M wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:41 PM:

" If you want to be fair, allow the Republicans to put early-voting centers in the retirement villages. "

Same old Same old wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:17 PM:

" "Kavadias-Schneider stated in her ruling, "Regrettably, Lake County has had a history of public corruption and voter fraud," but not enough to warrant disenfranchising voters in the county's three biggest cities"

Didn't East Chicago have the election of a mayor overturned due to "voter fraud"? "

Scott Eddy Mike wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Did you read the part where the judge stated that in-person voting is protected by "the strictest voting requirement in all 50 states"??

That's right - "the strictest voting requirement in all 50 states."

You know, the STRICT voting requirements that Indiana REPBULICAN legislators insisted on having in place to PREVENT vote fraud???

You boys may need some help with the foot that you placed in your mouth!!! "

Voter wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:52 PM:

" Now all Democrats, Republicans & Independents can cast their votes. I believe other states are allowing early voting. I heard Florida waiting time for early voting is 3 hours long. So why are there all kinds of complaints about voting early? "

Long Hours wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:49 PM:

" Mike, A lot of us are working a bit harder right now, given the state of the economy. I take the 5:58 train into the city and catch the 7:15 train in the evening. I am planning on taking the morning off on Nov. 4th because I can. However, there are others who may not be able to vote if not for early voting, and their voices are no less valuable for having demanding jobs. "

vote early vote often wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:47 PM:

" Well, the dem machine wants everyone to vote early because they are afraid of what is going to come out in the last few days about their guy barak who his running mate said won't be able to handle the crisis that will be hit on us within 6 months of his taking the presidency.

If they don't vote now, they may change their mind! "

me wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:45 PM:

" I dont understand what the big deal is. I am working out of state right now, so going home to visit my family is the only chance I will have to vote. should I not be allowed to vote becuase I am oot? I cant just take off days to fly home to vote and fly back... "

John B wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Who didn't see this coming? The Republicans must take this to the Indiana Supreme Court TODAY! Are people voting in Lake Station and Hobart? "

RE MORE VOTERS BETTER wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:32 PM:

" I disagree more voters the better. More educated and informed voters the better, I agree with. People who have no idea what they are voting for screw up the system. Hence, the Democratic machine in Lake County. Study about the candidates before you vote for them. Just don't press a D or an R. There are many good D's and many bad D's. There are many good R's and bad R's. There are even good and bad independents. Do your homework and do society a favor. "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:01 PM:

" Amazing.

The statute says that there must be unanimous consent of the Election Board to open multiple voting locations. There was not. Now some judge "re-writes" the rules. I do not care who you support -- the law is the law.

If the rule is wrong (which it is), change the rule -- do not have some unelected judge write new rules.

I agree with the result, but I am bothered by the process. "

Now I know wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:36 PM:

" Now, I know how to vote for the question of shall Judge Diane Kavadias-Schneider be retained for Judge! Thanks, it'll be a resounding NO on my ballot! "

To MS wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:31 PM:

" Obama's new ideas. They were tried by Russia many years ago and proved not to work. Can you spell C O M M U N I S M? I have come to the conclusion that to be a new Democrat you must have zero common sense and an IQ under 25. I am an old democrat voting for John McCain. "

What does it matter wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:29 PM:

" To all of you griping about the ruling, get over it, Lake County will get democratic leaders and Indiana will vote for a republican because of the wonderful "cough-cough" electoral college. Don't worry, your republicans will get their vote. "

Dont understand wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:24 PM:

" I don't understand the reasoning or ability of some people being allowed to vote early. Why are they only allowing it in certain areas and not everyone then? This is certainly discrimination!!! "

To Scott wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:15 PM:

" You stated that the Constitution stated the day you are to vote - how many people were actually voting? Women weren't voting at that time. Blacks weren't voting at that time. You had ONLY white men voting .... of course there were no lines back then! Grow up and get with the times! I applaud Indiana for finally doing something right and giving EVERYONE a chance to vote - DEM - REPUBLICAN - WHITE - BLACK - WOMEN - EVERYONE! BTW - the judge was my old 5th grade teacher and she's still doing great work! "

Amy W wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:12 PM:

" People will wait outside a Walmart for hours on end, in the dark, the day after Thanksgiving to get a good deal on Christmas gifts. They'll wait in line for their Starbucks. God forbid should any of them be inconvenienced by having to wait to vote. "

Funny wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:08 PM:

" Notice the Judge did not say this was legal. That was what she should have ruled on but put her Liberal Dem party about the law. This is why the US is going to heck. Judges don't follow the law but write there own. How do we teach kids right from wrong when Judges don't inforce the law. "

shirl wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:07 PM:

" What voter fraud have we had in Lake County? Stealing monies and positions yes but what voter fraud? "

Keep Those Comments Coming wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:05 PM:

" As most of you can see, GOP supporters do not want you to vote and Democrats are making it possible for more people to vote because they suspect they have the numbers to win. Regardless of your position, Democrat or Republican, you can see that voting is important. If Democrats are getting huge numbers, you'll need to support your candidate now more than ever. If you suspect that the GOP is trying to discourage your vote, ignore them and simply go out and VOTE. Now or on election day. It is only the will of the people if we all formalize it with a vote. "

to More Voters Better wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:03 PM:

" your wrong. I thought everyone should vote once then I realized it somebody does not do the research on who is running and only goes based on race, name or political party They really should not vote. "

I called it wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:47 PM:

" "There is a high probability that if early voting locations did no exist in the cities of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, many residents of those cities would not vote," she ruled. "The balance of hardships weigh heavily in favor of maintaining the status quo and allowing early voting to continue"
Judge it's call a absentee ballot. There choice to vote or not on Nov 4th not my problem if they don't.
My city does not have early voting are you worried about me? But like I said before Dem Judge looks to party rather than Law.
Also disenfranchising voters means you block them from voting. This is not the case they have Nov 4 to vote. When will Dems start using the word correctly? "

More Voters Better wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:47 PM:

" The bottom line is that broader participation is the best direction in our voting process. The resistence is coming from the side who is most likely to lose if everyone votes. It is apparant that they would prefer that people simply made a "choice" to not vote. Don't fall for it. Go out and vote...NOW!!! "

Mike wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:46 PM:

" I love how in another article, one person stated that they voted early to avoid long lines, this was while they were #24 in line to vote.

The Polls are open for 12 hours on election day, and no job covers the entire time the polls are open.

This is just a joke. First it was absentee balloting, now its early voting, whats next, voting 4 years in advance? "

john boy wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:44 PM:

" Now that these clowns have lost the court case.

Obama will pick up a ton of votes in Gary.

McSane will lose in a landside.

The McSane Repubilcans will now have to figure out another way to steal the election "

Supporter of TIffany wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:35 PM:

" Absolutely!!!! You nailed it! "

Eddy M wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:34 PM:

" Why not just let the DNC go door-to-door collecting votes? "

MS wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:32 PM:

" What are you people afraid of? Are you afraid that making voting more accessible to those in Lake county will contribute to voter fraud?

ON THE CONTRARY:
Voters must produce state-issued photo identification and are checked through the state voter registration database.

I believe the real fear is fear of change. Change from lackluster Bush administration to Obama's new ideas.
As far as putting forth effort to vote: some states have "drive through" voting where they don't even have to get out of their car...are you going to complain about that too? Sometimes I believe the fear is really hidden racism, even though Barack Obama is half caucasian. (by the way, I am caucasian). "

Scott wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:32 PM:

" I guess the Constitution means nothing in Indiana as long as it helps out the Dems. It's pretty clear that the Constitution says what day we are to vote on, i.e., Election Day. This is just a sampling of the kind of Socialist dictatorship/third world nation we are to become. "

MS wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:31 PM:

" What are you people afraid of? Are you afraid that making voting more accessible to those in Lake county will contribute to voter fraud?
ON THE CONTRARY:
Voters must produce state-issued photo identification and are checked through the state voter registration database.

I believe the real fear is fear of change. Change from lackluster Bush administration to Obama's new ideas.
As far as putting forth effort to vote: some states have "drive through" voting where they don't even have to get out of their car...are you going to complain about that too? Sometimes I believe the fear is really hidden racism, even though Barack Obama is half caucasian. (by the way, I am caucasian). "

Wrong wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:25 PM:

" This is so wrong. There is a day called "election day". We have always waited in lines. The polls are open 6am to 6pm - what is the problem here?? These people that are there in lines now need to go and get jobs. Work for a living. "

regionump wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:11 PM:

" Heaven forbid someone has to put forth some effort to vote. What's next, having the voting machine brought to the person's living room?? "

Roman wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:03 PM:

" SURPRISE. Liberal judge ok's opening centers against the law. What's new? Why have laws when liberal judges make their own? Welcome to Lake County. "

Disgusted DEM wrote on Oct 22, 2008 12:54 PM:

" Minority voters don't have the time or transportation? What a crock!! I work full time, I am raising two kids and take care of a home and I can find time to vote. As for the minority comment give me a break, as far as I know the bus runs to the Government Center in Crown Point, you can vote there. I like how the judge allows this to happen in communities with the biggest voter fraud, whats up with that. How is anything ever going to change if the judges are not up holding the law? "

yohan p wrote on Oct 22, 2008 12:50 PM:

" didnt Clay have money to send Gary students to vote in the primary? they can wait in a line for 2-4 hrs to vote now but not later. "

VOTE wrote on Oct 22, 2008 12:46 PM:

" Now let's vote early people! And then on election day you can help your candidate get even more people to the polls. Increased citizen participation will strengthen our democracy. "

thank you wrote on Oct 22, 2008 12:42 PM:

" Thank you Judge! "

tiffany wrote on Oct 22, 2008 12:39 PM:

" once again, why are you not closing the liquor stores then???? On Election Day all liquor stores are closed, it should be the same way in this situation. "

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