Bring Your People to the Polls Kickoff Rally

October 3, 2026

Goshen, IN: Today, two local groups jointly announce an early voting kickoff rally, “Bring Your People to the Polls,” at The Goshen Theater on Monday, October 5, 6:30-7:30pm. Mike Puro, former mayor of Goshen, is sponsoring the event. Co-hosting the event are the Goshen City Democratic Party and Elkhart County Indivisible. The event’s program will include:

  • Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 2 Congressional district Jamee Decio;
  • an introduction to local Democratic candidates and their upcoming races;
  • information about how to register last-minute voters (the online registration deadline is 11:59pm on October 5);
  • and a guided workshop to help everyone make a real plan to vote!

This kickoff rally builds on a recent surge of energy in Elkhart County politics.In February of this year, over 600 people packed The Goshen Theater to learn about ICE’s increased activity in the community. In March, No Kings Rallies organized by Indivisible and other allied groups, in Elkhart and in Goshen, drew around 600 people each. In April, nearly 400 people participated in an legislative forum with Indiana Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder. Now, organizers of the kickoff rally set their sights on the November midterms.

Paul Stauffer, Chair of the Goshen City Democratic Party, hopes the kick off rally will channel Elkhart County’s heightened political interest into concrete action. “Any interested voter should come to the event,” Stauffer explains. “Turnout in Elkhart County has historically been very low. Statewide, Indiana has one of the worst turnout rates in the nation. I think that’s a real shame, and we are working to change that. Everyone should make a plan to vote, and not just by yourself, but bring a couple friends with you to the polls. At the kickoff rally, we’ll help you make a plan to do just that.”

All are welcome to attend. The event is free.