Elkhart County Republican Party

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Elkhart County Republican Party Welcome to the official Elkhart County Republican Party page | https://www.elkhartgop.com In 1856, the Republicans became a national party when John C.

The Republican Party was born in the early 1850's by anti-slavery activists and individuals who believed that government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge. The first informal meeting of the party took place in Ripon, Wisconsin, a small town northwest of Milwaukee. The first official Republican meeting took place on July 6th, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan. The name "Republican" was chosen because it alluded to equality and reminded individuals of Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party. At the Jackson convention, the new party adopted a platform and nominated candidates for office in Michigan. Fremont was nominated for President under the slogan: "Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men, Fremont." Even though they were considered a "third party" because the Democrats and Whigs represented the two-party system at the time, Fremont received 33% of the vote. Four years later, Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to win the White House. The Civil War erupted in 1861 and lasted four grueling years. During the war, against the advice of his cabinet, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves. The Republicans of the day worked to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery, the Fourteenth, which guaranteed equal protection under the laws, and the Fifteenth, which helped secure voting rights for African-Americans. The Republican Party also played a leading role in securing women the right to vote. In 1896, Republicans were the first major party to favor women's suffrage. When the 19th Amendment finally was added to the Constitution, 26 of 36 state legislatures that had voted to ratify it were under Republican control. The first woman elected to Congress was a Republican, Jeanette Rankin from Montana in 1917. Presidents during most of the late nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth century were Republicans. The White House was in Republican hands under Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush. Under the last two, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, the United States became the world's only superpower, winning the Cold War from the old Soviet Union and releasing millions from Communist oppression. Behind all the elected officials and the candidates of any political party are thousands of hard-working staff and volunteers who raise money, lick the envelopes, and make the phone calls that every winning campaign must have. The national structure of our party starts with the Republican National Committee. Each state has its own Republican State Committee with a Chairman and staff. The Republican structure goes right down to the neighborhoods, where a Republican precinct captain every Election Day organizes Republican workers to get out the vote. Most states ask voters when they register to express party preference. Voters don't have to do so, but registration lists let the parties know exactly which voters they want to be sure vote on Election Day. Just because voters register as a Republican, they don't need to vote that way - many voters split their tickets, voting for candidates in both parties. But the national party is made up of all registered Republicans in all 50 states. They are the heart and soul of the party. Republicans have a long and rich history with basic principles: Individuals, not government, can make the best decisions; all people are entitled to equal rights; and decisions are best made close to home. The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections way back in 1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Grant would seek to run for an unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harper's Weekly, depicted a Democratic jackass trying to scare a Republican elephant - and both symbols stuck. For a long time Republicans have been known as the "G.O.P." And party faithfuls thought it meant the "Grand Old Party." But apparently the original meaning (in 1875) was "gallant old party." And when automobiles were invented it also came to mean, "get out and push." That's still a pretty good slogan for Republicans who depend every campaign year on the hard work of hundreds of thousands of volunteers to get out and vote and push people to support the causes of the Republican Party.

Elkhart County Voters - from your Township to the Capitol(s) vote Republican in this 2026 General Election!
10/26/2026

Elkhart County Voters - from your Township to the Capitol(s) vote Republican in this 2026 General Election!

10/24/2026

I’m honored to be endorsed by some amazing law first responder organizations like the Indiana State Police Alliance, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, and Indiana Professional Fire Fighters PAC! I’m grateful for their support and proud to stand with the men and women who serve our communities!

10/23/2026

Thank you, President Trump.

I am grateful for your support and honored to have your endorsement. Hoosiers deserve a Secretary of State who will stand strong for election integrity - thank you for affirming that I’m the ONLY candidate in this race who will ensure that American elections are for American citizens.

Early voting is underway. Vote Max Engling between now and November 3 🇺🇸

Re-elect Rep. Joanna King in District 49.
10/22/2026

Re-elect Rep. Joanna King in District 49.

Elkhart County Voters - Make your voice heard in this crucial 2026 General Election! From Township to Congress, your rep...
10/21/2026

Elkhart County Voters - Make your voice heard in this crucial 2026 General Election! From Township to Congress, your representatives will be elected by those who VOTE this November 3rd! 🇺🇸

Official Site of the Elkhart County Republican Party

10/21/2026
Thank you to Mayor Chris Jensen for attending our monthly meeting and speaking as part of our speaker series! Mayor Jens...
10/20/2026

Thank you to Mayor Chris Jensen for attending our monthly meeting and speaking as part of our speaker series! Mayor Jensen spoke about municipal leadership, the mission of AIM (Accelerate Indiana Municipalities), and more.

A reminder from our County Clerk!
10/20/2026

A reminder from our County Clerk!

EARLY VOTING begins on October 6th, 2026.

Mondays 8am–5pm, Tuesday–Fridays 8am–4pm

First Presbyterian Church of Goshen
215 E. Lincoln Ave., Goshen

Lincoln Center–Health Department Building
608 Oakland Ave., Elkhart

Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31, 8am–4pm

First Presbyterian Church of Goshen
215 E. Lincoln Ave., Goshen

Lincoln Center–Health Department Building
608 Oakland Ave., Elkhart

Pathway Church
13805 US20, Middlebury

First Brethren Church
1600 N. Main St., Nappanee

ELECTION DAY - November 3, 6am - 6pm

Bristol Community Church
201 S. Division St., Bristol

First Baptist Church
53953 C.R. 17, Bristol

Lincoln Center–Health Department Building
608 Oakland Ave., Elkhart

AMBS
3003 Benham Ave., Elkhart

Calvary United Methodist Church
2222 W. Indiana Ave., Elkhart

Jimtown High School
59021 C.R. 3, Elkhart

New Hope United Methodist Church
28765 C.R. 4, Elkhart

North Side Gym
300 Lawrence St., Elkhart

FOP #52
1003 Industrial Pkwy, Elkhart

Tolson Center
1320 Benham Ave., Elkhart

Trinity on Jackson Church
2715 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart

Osolo Township Fire Department
24936 Buddy St., Elkhart

Granger Community Church–Elkhart Campus
2701 E. Bristol St., Elkhart

First Presbyterian Church of Goshen
215 E. Lincoln Ave., Goshen

Sugar Grove Church
58512 Old C.R. 17, Goshen

Grace Community Church
20076 C.R. 36, Goshen

Greencroft Goshen Community Center
1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen

Maple City Chapel
2015 Lincolnway E., Goshen

Pleasant View Church
58529 C.R. 23, Goshen

St. Mark's UM Church
502 N. Main St., Goshen

Greene Road Church
518 N. Greene Rd., Goshen

Pathway Church
13805 US20, Middlebury

Millersburg Town Hall
201 W. Washington St., Millersburg

First Brethren Church
1600 N. Main St., Nappanee

Sunnyside Park Community Center
68546 Clinton St., New Paris

Bible Baptist Church
205 E. Waterford St., Wakarusa

Where to Vote in Elkhart CountyIn Elkhart County, registered voters do not need to cast their ballots at a specific prec...
10/19/2026

Where to Vote in Elkhart County

In Elkhart County, registered voters do not need to cast their ballots at a specific precinct determined by their home address. Vote centers are utilized to allow voters to vote at any one of vote center locations throughout the county.

In Elkhart County, registered voters do not need to cast their ballots at a specific precinct determined by their home address. Vote centers are utilized to allow voters to vote at any one of the 26 locations throughout the county.

REMINDER - Come on out to our monthly meeting this Saturday at 9 AM. It will be held at the Second Time Around Bar & Gri...
10/16/2026

REMINDER - Come on out to our monthly meeting this Saturday at 9 AM. It will be held at the Second Time Around Bar & Grill at 1914 Elkhart Rd, Goshen, IN 46526. See you there for coffee, donuts, and to catch up with your fellow Republicans. đź‘Ť

The Elkhart County Republican Party is pleased to host Mayor Chris Jensen as part of our speaker series. He will be joining us after our October 17th, 2026 Monthly Meeting! This is a rescheduled event after Mayor Jensen had to postpone, due to emergency flooding response in his community.

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Goshen, IN

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