New polling place sought for contaminated housing complex

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) - Lake County election officials are searching for a new polling place where residents of a lead-contaminated public housing complex can vote this fall.

County Elections Director Michelle Fajman said Tuesday that precinct committeemen are expected to meet soon to suggest an alternate polling place to replace the one used last spring in the recreation center of the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released data showing the soil at the complex is highly contaminated with lead and arsenic, and the city has decided to demolish the complex.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports (http://bit.ly/2cmySVW ) Fajman said a recent mailing to registered voters in the complex are being returned because they've already relocated and left no forwarding addresses.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.nwitimes.com