Heads up: Some Elkhart County polling places, electoral districts to change
Here’s the skinny from the Elkhart County Clerk’s Office:
Polling places: The boundaries of some precincts were redrawn per population shifts in Elkhart County that came out in the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau head count. Moreover, seven new precincts were added, bringing the total to 117, and the names of some were changed.
The upshot is you may be voting at a new polling site this year.
Representation: Also per population shifts, the boundaries of the federal congressional districts and the state legislative districts were redrawn. (Look here for before and after maps.) The ballots and elections this year will reflect the redistricting, with the winning candiates taking office to represent the newly configured districts early next year. Locally:
• All of Elkhart County was put in the U.S. House of Representatives’ 2nd District for Indiana, a seat currently represented by U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger. Previously, the 2nd District covered northwestern Elkhart County, including much of Elkhart, while the rest, including Goshen, was part of the 3rd Distrct, now represented by U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe.
• Elkhart County is still home to portions of three state senate seats, District 9, District 11 and District 12, but the dividing lines between the three were shifted slightly. Thus, if you live near one of the boundaries, you may find yourself in a new district, per the new configurations.
The current representatives are Ryan Mishler, R-Bremen, District 9; Joe Zakas, R-Granger, District 11; and Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, District 12. Only Mishler and Yoder are up for re-election this cycle, though Zakas’ district will change next year to reflect redistricting.
• Elkhart County is now home to portions of five Indiana House of Representatives seats, down from six. Parts of districts 21, 48 and 49 remain within Elkhart County, with the addition of parts of districts 22 and 82 along the southern edge of the county. Gone are portions of districts 5, 18 and 23.
The district 21, 48 and 49 representatives are Tim Wesco, R-Lakeville; Tim Neese, R-Elkhart; and Wesley Culver, R-Goshen. The district 22 and 82 representatives are Rebecca Kubacki, R-Syracuse, and Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale.
The representatives in districts 5, 18 and 23 are Craig Fry, D-Mishawaka; David Wolkins, R-Winona Lake; and Bill Friend, R-Macy.
Depending on where you live, you may be in a new district per the changes. Even the borders of districts, 21, 48 and 49 shifted.
• The districts for the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners were redrawn, but the three posts are each voted on countywide, so that won’t impact voters. The boundaries of the four numbered Elkhart County Council districts were changed, but they don’t come up for election until 2014. The at-large council posts are up for grabs this cycle, but redistricting doesn’t impact them.
Letters coming: The county clerk’s office will be mailing each registered voter a letter by the end of March identifying their particular polling place and the pertinent electoral districts where they live.
A few dates: The deadline to register to vote for the upcoming primary vote is April 9. The primary election will be May 8 and the general election will be Nov. 6.
More information: For more information, call the Elkhart County Election Board at 535-6469 or the Elkhart County voter registration office at 535-6775.




















