Merrillville, Indiana Public Records

Indiana's bond and bail process allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and those seeking information about posting bail can contact the jail's administrative office directly. Residents looking for someone recently arrested can either call the facility or use the online inmate search tool provided by the Sheriff's Office.

Registration requires an Indiana driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Residents can also register by mail or in person at the Lake County Elections Office, Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches, or designated government agencies. State law requires voters to present government-issued photo ID at the polls; acceptable IDs include Indiana driver's licenses, Indiana state ID cards, U.S. Passports, military IDs, or tribal IDs. As an incorporated town, Merrillville holds municipal elections for Town Council members - seven council members representing districts and at-large seats - and Clerk-Treasurer. Town elections occur in odd-numbered years, most recently in November 2023, with the next scheduled for November 2027. The Town Council serves four-year terms. Voters decide local offices, town ordinances, and occasionally referendum questions affecting local taxation or governance. Candidate information and local ballot measures are available through the Lake County Elections website and the Town of Merrillville website (www.merrillville. gov). Residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting https://indianavoters. gov and entering their residential address. The state's voter portal also shows sample ballots, early voting locations, and voter registration status. The county offers early in-person voting at the Elections Office and satellite locations typically beginning 28 days before Election Day. Indiana provides public access to voter registration lists, which are available for purchase for lawful election purposes. Campaign finance reports can be accessed through the Indiana Election Division (https://campaignfinance. gov), along with candidate filings and declarations. The Lake County Elections Office publishes unofficial results on election night and certified results following canvassing. Historical election data is maintained both online and in county archives. In the November 2024 presidential election, Lake County reported approximately 52-55% voter turnout among registered voters, with over 150,000 ballots cast countywide. Local precincts generally reflected county-wide participation rates. On November 3, 2026, Merrillville and Lake County voters will decide several important races: the U.S. Senate seat - Indiana's Class III Senate seat is up for election in 2026 - all nine U.S. House seats including Indiana's 1st Congressional District which includes the town, Indiana state legislative seats in State Senate District 3 and State House District 15 which cover portions of the area and serve four-year and two-year terms respectively, and various Lake County offices including County Council, County Assessor, County Surveyor, and potentially County Commissioners depending on the district cycle. Indiana does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026; the next Governor's race is in 2024. Indiana voters can request absentee ballots online at https://indianavoters. gov or by submitting an application to the Lake County Elections Office. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Elections Office no later than 11:59 PM on the day before Election Day. The state allows absentee voting by mail for any registered voter; no excuse is required. Voters traveling outside their county on Election Day, those with disabilities, individuals over 65, those scheduled to work entire poll hours, or voters with specific religious obligations can request absentee ballots. Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by noon on Election Day or postmarked by Election Day and received within 10 days if mailed from overseas. Voters can track absentee ballot status through the state voter portal.