An Indiana state judge who in the last few days toured three controversial early voting centers in the state's Lake County has rejected a request from Republican county officials to close the centers.
In an order released today, the judge, who was trailed by cameras as she visited the voting centers, said the Lake County Election Board is "enjoined from terminating the operation of in-person absentee voting currently being conducted" in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, Ind. The three cities, which account for 40 percent of Lake County's population, are heavily favored to support Democratic Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential election.
The controversy began last September when the county's Democratic-controlled election board voted 3-2 to open additional voting places for early in-person absentee voting to accommodate voters in the three cities, which have predominantly nonwhite populations. Indiana law allows absentee ballots to be filed in person or by mail.
The two Republicans on the board voted against the measure, arguing that in-person voting in the county seat, Crown Point, was sufficient. Crown Point is predominately white.
The judge ruled today that "it is not reasonable or fair" to allow voters residing close to Crown Point to vote while at the same time forcing "many more voters" in the three other cities that are approximately 45 minutes away to "make an onerous and lengthy round trip."
ABC News: Judge: Ind. Early Vote Centers Can Stay Open
In an order released today, the judge, who was trailed by cameras as she visited the voting centers, said the Lake County Election Board is "enjoined from terminating the operation of in-person absentee voting currently being conducted" in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, Ind. The three cities, which account for 40 percent of Lake County's population, are heavily favored to support Democratic Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential election.
The controversy began last September when the county's Democratic-controlled election board voted 3-2 to open additional voting places for early in-person absentee voting to accommodate voters in the three cities, which have predominantly nonwhite populations. Indiana law allows absentee ballots to be filed in person or by mail.
The two Republicans on the board voted against the measure, arguing that in-person voting in the county seat, Crown Point, was sufficient. Crown Point is predominately white.
The judge ruled today that "it is not reasonable or fair" to allow voters residing close to Crown Point to vote while at the same time forcing "many more voters" in the three other cities that are approximately 45 minutes away to "make an onerous and lengthy round trip."
ABC News: Judge: Ind. Early Vote Centers Can Stay Open
