The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed Lake Superior Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider, Civil Division 1, as a special judge in the consolidated Lake County cases involving the operations of early-voting sites in East Chicago, Gary, and Hammond, according to Kathryn Dolan, Indiana Supreme Court spokesperson.

The consolidated cases come from Lake Superior Court, Civil Division 2, and Lake Circuit Court. The Supreme Court consolidated the cases into Superior Court and gave the parties until yesterday afternoon to agree upon a special judge. Because the parties didn't choose a judge, the high court selected one pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 79.