The St. Joseph County Election Board meeting held on October 23, 2024, focused on early voting statistics and addressed public concerns regarding the voting process.

During the meeting, officials reported a significant turnout for early voting, with a total of 16,918 votes cast across three locations: the County City Building, Mishawaka, and Center Township. The board anticipates reaching close to 40,000 early votes by the end of the voting period, highlighting the success of the additional voting site in alleviating congestion. Officials praised the efforts of the team involved in organizing the early voting, noting long lines at the Mishawaka and Center Township locations, which were indicative of high voter engagement.

Public comments revealed several complaints from voters. One individual expressed frustration over receiving a ballot without the required signatures and suggested improvements for next year, including clearer contact information on ballots. Another voter reported long wait times and inadequate seating for elderly individuals at the Mishawaka site, describing the experience as "horrible." Concerns were also raised about security measures at the County City Building, where some voters felt uncomfortable with purse checks.

Additionally, a comment was made regarding the lack of an agenda posted online prior to the meeting, raising questions about compliance with open door laws.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, but not before acknowledging the importance of addressing the public's concerns to improve the voting experience in future elections.