Porter County Government hosts ribbon cutting ceremony for Grand Re-Opening of Porter County Elections & Registrations Office

There’s a good chance that in every election season, you have been encouraged to go vote a handful of times. In Porter County, the emphasis on voting is just as significant, which is why it’s important to make the experience as good as possible for the voters. On Tuesday, November 25, the Porter County Government hosted a Voter Registration Office Grand Opening at 155 Franklin Street in Valparaiso.

This ceremony is technically a grand re-opening of the Porter County Elections & Registration Office, as the previous office had to close unexpectedly. The expectations for this newly built facility is to ease everything in preparation for the voting season.

“More than anything, there’s a lot of excitement that it’s completed on time and within the budget,” said County Commissioner Jim Biggs of the North District. “It’s one more thing we can check off our list on the things we need to do as we get ready for the next election.”

The previous facility was closed down due to flood damage. This new facility is not only stronger, but also has a variety of new features.

“I think it’s laid out a lot better,” Biggs said. “There’s better mechanics to it, such as the heating and cooling. The space is just being utilized a lot more efficiently than it was previously. Even the lighting is better here.”

Along with serving as a better space for managing voter elections and registrations, it’s also an improved space for welcoming voters in the community to come in and ask questions. This includes learning more information about voter registration, absentee voting, early voting, polling locations, and precinct maps.

“Voting is easier when people come in and ask us questions,” Biggs said. “There’s more space for people to even come in and have a conversation about the election.”

Both the Duneland Chamber of Commerce and the Valpo Chamber made an appearance to support the grand re-opening.

“I’ve always seen Porter County as just one big community,” Biggs said. “We might have different names and municipalities, but when you really get down to it, we’re all one in the same.”

Tudor’s Taco Tuesday provided food for everyone in attendance at the event. A plethora of desserts were also presented.

“The government should always be working with businesses,” Biggs said. “With this project, we’ve been able to team up with businesses to satisfy the end means here, which is exactly what we should be doing. Most of the work here, if not all of it, has been done by local businesses.”

Biggs encourages everyone in Porter County to vote, noting that it’s the most important thing you can do as a county resident.

Voting gives power to the people to create a positive change for the community and push towards a better quality of life for you and your family. The more we vote, the more that our voices can be heard. As a result, it increases the likelihood of issues being recognized and addressed. This grand re-opening is more than just a new building; it’s an opportunity to share your voice and represent your county.

If you are interested in learning about voting in Porter County, you can contact the Elections and Registrations Office at (219) 465-3484 or elections@portercountyin.gov.

For more information on the Porter County Government, you can visitportercountyin.gov.