Indiana voters, political donors and candidates will surely be impacted by President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 election. But the question is how? 

Does Biden, who won the Indiana presidential primary election, have to appear on the ballot this November? If not Biden, then who? And what will be the impact for those who donated to the campaign or who are running for elected office in Indiana? 

State Affairs has the answers to these questions and more. Here’s how Biden’s decision will impact the upcoming general election in Indiana. 

Does Biden have to appear on the general election ballot? 

No. 

Angie Nussmeyer, the Democratic co-director of the Indiana Elections Division, told State Affairs the deadline to certify a presidential nominee to her division is noon Sept. 10. 

“The Democratic Party’s ticket [president/vice president] will be certified to us by the Indiana Democratic Party’s state chair,” Nussmeyer said. “There is no state law that requires the person who won a major party’s primary election be the only candidate that can be certified to the state to appear on the November ballot as the party’s ticket.”

In fact, Indiana law specifies that even if Biden had dropped out after this deadline, votes cast for him would be considered votes cast for whomever the party named as his successor. 

The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office confirmed these facts in a Monday news release, noting  that counties also have until Sept. 16 to print ballots. 

The Sep. 10 deadline falls after the Democratic National Convention, which will take place Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Democrats are expected to name a new candidate slate at the convention. 

Some Republicans, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, have said Democrats will face lawsuits at the state level due to the proposed change. 

“Every state has their own election system, and the Democrat party will face legal challenges in trying to remove Biden from the top of the ticket,” Johnson said in a Sunday evening X post. 

Marc Elias, an attorney who represents national Democrats in election matters, said in his own X post that the new nominee will appear on the ballot in every state. 

“There is no basis for any legal challenge,” Elias said. 

Who will be the new nominee? 

Vice President Kamala Harris is the clear frontrunner. She benefits from already having been a part of the presidential ticket in 2024 and 2020, and Biden endorsed her on his way out of this year’s race. 

She was also endorsed by a host of other high-profile Democrats, including Secretary of Transportation and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. 

Others may opt to challenge Harris at the convention. Ultimately, Democratic National Convention delegates — including the 79 making the trip from Indiana — will select the next nominee. 

What happens to Biden’s campaign money? 

Harris, who was part of Biden’s campaign committee as his running mate, has already filed with the Federal Election Commission to assume control of the account. 

Saurav Ghosh, the director of federal campaign finance reform at the Campaign Legal Center, told U.S. News & World Report that campaign finance rules would not allow Biden’s account to be passed on to another candidate if Harris is not the nominee. Rather, the campaign would have to either refund donors or transfer the money to the Democratic National Committee, which could spend on behalf of a new candidate. 

Donors may request a refund from any campaign committee through the FEC’s website. 

Will this affect down-ballot races in Indiana? 

There would not appear to be any direct impact on local and statewide candidates, but Biden dropping out may have other effects.

Speaking with State Affairs about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick’s chances in 2024, Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor in the Department of History and Political Science at the University of Indianapolis, said what’s happening at the presidential level can  influence voter turnout and campaign fundraising for Indiana’s down-ballot races. 

A new nominee may encourage or discourage voter turnout for state Democrats, who are seeking to flip a U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s mansion, among other races in largely Republican-controlled Indiana. 

Contact Rory Appleton on X at @roryehappleton or email him at [email protected].

Gary, Indiana, a city known for its industrial history, has seen significant demographic shifts over the years.

The industrial decline is a major reason for the significant changes we can see today.

Let us talk about Gary, Indiana’s population in 2024 in greater detail.

Population Overview

Gary, Indiana’s population, as of 2024, is 67,199.

The city has experienced a significant decline of the population in the last couple of decades after a massive rise during the first few decades of the 20th century.

Race demographics are one of the major shifts the city has experienced during that period. Today, it looks like this:

Age and Gender Distribution

The median age in Gary is 36.9 years, indicating a relatively young population.

The age group distribution shows a balanced representation of different age brackets, with a noticeable number of young adults and middle-aged residents.

It basically looks like this:

The gender ratio is relatively even, reflecting a typical urban demographic.

A balanced age and gender distribution has implications for the city’s labor market, educational services, and healthcare needs.

Economic Indicators

Gary residents need an annual income of $50,160 or an hourly wage of $24.12 to afford a two-bedroom home.

In stark contrast, the median household income in the city is significantly lower at $36,153. This disparity underscores the financial strain on many families trying to secure adequate housing.

The high cost of living relative to income levels highlights the urgent need for affordable housing initiatives and economic support for residents.

Poverty Rate

The poverty rate in Gary is alarmingly high, with 27.9% of families living below the poverty line.

This statistic reflects the broader economic challenges faced by the community and points to a critical need for targeted poverty alleviation programs.

Economic development strategies and support services are essential to help lift families out of poverty and provide a more stable financial foundation for the city’s residents.

Employment and Major Industries

Employment status in Gary varies, with key industries providing most of the job opportunities. The major sectors include:

• Manufacturing:
  • Traditionally a cornerstone of Gary’s economy, manufacturing continues to provide numerous jobs, although the sector has seen fluctuations in employment levels due to broader economic trends and automation.
• Healthcare:
  • This sector is a vital part of the local economy, offering a range of employment opportunities from direct patient care to administrative roles.
• Retail:
  • Retail jobs provide employment for many residents, though these positions often come with lower wages and less job security compared to other sectors.

Economic Challenges and Policy Implications

The city’s economic indicators underscore the importance of several strategic initiatives:

• Job Creation:
  • Developing policies that attract new businesses and support existing ones is crucial for creating more job opportunities.
• Workforce Development:
  • Enhancing the skills and employability of the workforce through education and training programs is vital.
• Economic Policies:
  • Implementing policies aimed at reducing poverty and increasing household income is essential.

Improving Quality of Life

Addressing these economic challenges is crucial for improving the quality of life for Gary’s residents.

By focusing on job creation, workforce development, and effective economic policies, the city can work towards reducing poverty rates and increasing household incomes.

These efforts are essential for building a more prosperous and equitable community.

Housing and Living Conditions

The homeownership rate in Gary serves as a crucial indicator of economic stability and community investment.

High homeownership rates typically correlate with a stronger local economy and more engaged residents, as homeowners are more likely to invest in their properties and the surrounding community.

Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units

The median value of owner-occupied housing units in Gary reflects the city’s housing market conditions.

The metric helps assess the affordability and desirability of living in Gary, which can influence population growth and economic development.

A higher median value often indicates a robust housing market, while a lower median value may highlight affordability issues or economic challenges.

Average Commute Time

The average commute time for residents provides insight into the city’s transportation infrastructure and access to employment opportunities.

Shorter commute times generally suggest better infrastructure and closer proximity to job centers, enhancing residents’ quality of life by reducing the time spent traveling and increasing work-life balance.

Importance of Housing and Living Conditions

Understanding housing and living conditions is vital for developing policies that promote:

• Affordable Housing:
  • Ensuring that housing costs remain within reach for all residents, especially those with lower incomes.
• Improved Living Standards:
  • Enhancing the quality of housing and access to essential services to improve residents’ overall well-being.
• Community Well-being:
  • Creating a supportive environment that fosters community engagement and social cohesion.

Impact on Seniors

Nearly 13,000 Gary residents are aged 65 or older, a population disproportionately affected by the housing crisis.

Seniors often face fixed incomes and rising healthcare costs, making affordable and stable housing even more critical.

Addressing the housing needs of this demographic is essential for their well-being and the overall health of the community.

Quality of Life

These factors—homeownership rates, housing values, commute times, and the housing needs of seniors—play a significant role in shaping the quality of life in Gary.

By focusing on these areas, policymakers can develop strategies that enhance living conditions, promote economic stability, and foster a thriving community.

Summary

The demographic analysis of Gary, Indiana, reveals key insights into the city’s population trends, economic indicators, and living conditions.

These findings have important implications for local policy and future planning efforts aimed at revitalizing Gary and improving the well-being of its residents.

The Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers faced off in the final 2024 summer league game for both teams on Saturday.

The Pacers were without Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, and Ben Sheppard in the meeting. Those three players already have guaranteed contracts for the 2024-25 season and had little left to show in the summer sessions. Indiana instead started players who are either recent late draft picks or are fighting for roster considerations with the blue and gold.

Thanks to some good defensive plays from Quenton Jackson and some finishing from Oscar Tshiebwe, Indiana was ahead 11-7 early. They were playing their style in the first four minutes with some success.

Cleveland answered and hit hard when reserves entered the game, taking a 16-14 lead with about three minutes left in the opening quarter. That advantage remained as the Cavs were ahead 22-18 at the end of the period.

“We need to make shots. I thought we were taking good shots… let’s keep moving the ball,” Tshiebwe said on the broadcast of what his team needed to do better to get back in the lead.

Instead, it was the Cavaliers who surged to open the second quarter. Their lead reached eight as the Pacers turned the ball over and didn’t get into the paint. They needed to get back to playing their drive-heavy style if they were going to make the game close.

Indiana’s starting five returned to the game and played focused, yet speedy, basketball. They trimmed the Cavs lead thanks to baskets from Kendall Brown and Tristen Newton and had a chance to even the score before halftime arrived.

The Pacers forced a few turnovers, and that helped tie the game up. Tshiebwe was playing well again to close the second quarter, and the score was 38-38 at halftime.

Cleveland scored first to kick off the second half, but Tshiebwe quickly responded by drawing a shooting foul. The G League Rookie of the Year was having a good outing to that point, and the two teams traded the lead for a few minutes in the ensuing stretch.

Indiana pushed their lead as high as five after a highlight play from Jackson, but Cleveland responded and had the advantage moments later. Both teams were inconsistent for much of the night — there were 12 lead changes in total.

After three frames, the Cavaliers were up 66-65. Darius Brown skied in for a putback layup at the buzzer of the third quarter to give his team the lead heading into the final 10 minute frame of summer league for both groups.

The early moments of the fourth quarter went back-and-forth, with the Pacers holding a one-point lead with 7.5 minutes left in the game. Dakota Mathias hit a key shot for the blue and gold to keep them ahead around that time — his shooting stood out during summer league.

With five minutes to go, the Pacers were ahead 81-79. They had several starters on the court and had a chance to put the game away and earn their second summer league victory. Jackson was the star of the show once again for Indiana.

Cleveland reclaimed the lead with 3:50 to go, though, and that proved to be an important bucket — they never trailed again. The blue and gold tied the game a few times, but the Cavaliers always had an answer — particularly from deep. The Pacers defense was poor in crunch time.

A layup from Enrique Freeman, who has been impressive during summer league, cut the Cavs lead to 95-93 with 42.4 seconds left. But Cleveland responded with another three — their sixth of the quarter — and it proved to be the dagger.

The Cavaliers won 100-93. Jackson finished with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four steals for the Pacers. Tshiebwe and Newton both had 17 points. Indiana finished summer league 1-4 and won’t play a game again until preseason action.