INDIANAPOLIS — Just how popular will absentee voting be this year? Consider these figures from the Indiana Election Division of the Secretary of State's office.
As of last Thursday, more than 37,000 absentee ballot applications had been recorded in the statewide voter registration system. At the same point prior to the 2016 election there had been 109 applications.
If you're planning to vote absentee in the November elections, now is the time to request an absentee ballot.
That's the message from Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams, and it goes for all Indiana counties. Williams wants to be sure that ballots are returned by the mail-in deadline.
“We’ve had a lot of calls with concern about the post office and its ability to get mail-in ballots returned in time,” Williams said. “We encourage voters to apply now for their absentee ballots. We will start mailing those ballots the week of September 14th which will give folks six weeks to get them returned.”
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday echoed Williams' message and encouraged Hoosiers who qualify to not procrastinate when it comes to filling out absentee ballot applications.
"I would encourage people to do it sooner rather than later just for the very reason that folks might be concerned," Holcomb said.
Indiana is one of just eight states not accepting concerns over the coronavirus as a reason to vote absentee. Neighboring states like Illinois, Michigan and Ohio are automatically mailing applications to registered voters who can vote by mail without an excuse.
"I think the vast majority of folks that I hear from want to vote actually in person," Holcomb said. "And thankfully, we had an exhibit A, the primary election where we proved we can do it safely."
Indiana's primary, which was slated for May 5, was pushed to June 2 and allowed no-excuse mail-in voting under the state's stay-at-home orders. Though, some voters reported never receiving their ballots and 1,700 ballots were left uncounted because they were received past the deadline.
Holcomb said he does not see the need for no-excuse mail-in voting as people can begin casting their ballot in-person Oct. 6 to avoid Election Day crowds.
"If anything, we need more polling sites in some places in the state of Indiana to disperse that number," Holcomb said. "We did it once. We can do it again."
In a meeting last week, the Indiana Election Commission voted down the expansion of absentee balloting to include all Hoosier voters due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Short of a mandate from Governor Eric Holcomb, absentee ballots will be limited to registered voters who:
- Expect to be absent from the county on election day
- Are confined to residence due to illness or injury
- Are caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury
- Have disabilities
- Are at least 65 years of age
- Have official election duties outside of their voting precinct
- Are scheduled to work during the entire 12 hours that polls are open
- Are unable to vote at polls in person due to a religious holiday
- Are eligible to vote under the "fail-safe" procedures in 3-10-11 or 3-10-12
- Are a member of the military or a public safety officer
- Are a serious sex offender
- Are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to polls
The Hamilton County Clerk has already received more than 12,000 absentee applications. That’s compared to a total of 11,470 applications in 2016.
Those wishing to vote by mail must apply by midnight on Thursday, October 22nd. The application can be downloaded at https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14072/ABS-MAIL- [hamiltoncounty.in.gov]. You can also call (317) 776-8476 and request an application over the phone.
Once you have voted, you can submit your application by fax, by mail or by email. All mailed-in ballots must be received by the Election Office on or before noon on Election Day.
In person early voting locations will open throughout Hamilton County starting Tuesday, October 6th.
“Those who are nervous about long lines on Election Day need not worry,” Williams said. “Lines are minimal on early voting days, plus we’ve purchased an additional 150 voting machines and will open 124 voting locations on Election Day.”
The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 5th. You can do that in person or online at www.Indianavoters.com.