Dunkirk, Indiana Public Records

Election information flows through the office website at www.jaycounty.net, where residents can find polling locations, review sample ballots, check election calendars, and see results. Indiana residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Portal at indianavoters. gov, a system that handles new registrations, address changes, and verification of existing registrations. The deadline falls 29 days before any election. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by the next election, and Indiana residents for a minimum of 30 days. Online registration requires a valid Indiana driver's license or state ID number; those without either can register by mail or in person. Residents can verify their registration status, preview sample ballots, and locate their assigned polling place through the Indiana Voter Portal by entering their name and date of birth. The town operates with an elected government structure, holding municipal elections for the town council and other offices. Indiana towns on this election cycle hold general municipal elections in November of odd-numbered years, 2025, 2027, and so on, with primary elections in May when needed. The Dunkirk Town Council seats five members, each serving four-year terms. Candidates for local office file their declaration forms with the Jay County Clerk during designated filing periods, typically running from January through February of election years. Local ballot questions and referenda appear on municipal election ballots when properly submitted under Indiana law. Polling places for residents are assigned by precinct and can be confirmed through the Indiana Voter Portal or by contacting the Jay County Clerk's office. The town typically maintains one or two polling locations serving residents, historically including spots like Dunkirk Elementary School or the Jay County Fairgrounds Community Building. Indiana law sets poll hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time on election day. Indiana election records available to the public include voter registration lists, which can be purchased by qualified requesters under Indiana Code 3-7-26-8 for legitimate purposes. Campaign finance reports are filed with county election boards for local candidates and can be searched through the Indiana Campaign Finance database at campaignfinance. gov for state candidates. Candidate filings, declarations, and precinct-level results are also public. The Jay County Clerk maintains these records locally, while statewide results are published by the Indiana Secretary of State at www. gov/sos/elections. The county historically leans heavily Republican in presidential and statewide races.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Dunkirk voters are published by the Indiana Election Division (https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/). State-level races will include all 100 Indiana House of Representatives seats, which carry two-year terms, and half of the 50 Indiana Senate seats, which follow four-year terms with half up each cycle. Jay County falls within Indiana Senate District 19 and Indiana House District 54. County-level offices on the ballot will include some Jay County Council seats, depending on district election cycles, and potentially other county positions if special elections are called. Voters should check with the Jay County Clerk closer to 2026 for a complete list of races and candidates. Indiana offers absentee voting by mail for voters who meet specific criteria: being absent from the county on election day, having a disability, being over 65, having scheduled work during all poll hours, acting as a caregiver, or working as a poll worker outside their precinct. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through indianavoters. gov, by mail, or in person at the Jay County Clerk's office. The application deadline is 11 days before the election for mail requests or until noon the day before the election for in-person applications. Completed absentee ballots must reach the Jay County Clerk by noon on election day, or be postmarked by election day and received within 10 days. Indiana also offers early voting in person at the Jay County Clerk's office and potentially other designated locations beginning 28 days before an election and ending at noon the day before the election; residents should check with the Jay County Clerk for specific early voting hours and locations.