Voters head to the polls Tuesday for the primary election. Seven Republicans are vying for the District 1 Congressional seat currently held by Democrat Frank Mrvan, who's seeking reelection.
In Lake County, Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. faces three Democratic primary challengers, while the county clerk's race has five Democrats. The Times reports incumbent clerk Lorenzo Arredondo filed to run for reelection on January 5 but hasn't been seen in public since January 15, when a fall at his Crown Point apartment left him with multiple skull fractures.
Meanwhile, voters in the Griffith and Valparaiso school districts will vote on a property tax referendum. Both school corporations say they plan to use the money on safety initiatives, teacher retention and academic programming, among other uses. This is Griffith's first referendum, while Valparaiso Community Schools is looking to renew an existing one but at a lower maximum tax rate.
This will be Porter County's first election using the vote center model, meaning voters will be able to cast their ballots at any one of 44 voting locations. Lake County voters will still have to cast their ballots at their designated precinct polling place. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Lakeshore Public Radio's live election coverage starts at 7:00 p.m.