INDIANAPOLIS – If you plan on voting in Marion County for the primary election, there are some changes you need to know about.
Some of them are due to the coronavirus, but others are some changes now in effect every year.
Vote center county
This is the first presidential election that Marion County is a vote center county, meaning anybody registered can vote in any of the 22 vote centers in the county.
That change actually went into effect for last year’s municipal elections, but turnout is expected to be higher for the 2020 primary.
COVID-19
Marion County Clerk’s Office Deputy Director Russell Hollis said all election workers will enforce six-foot social distancing requirements for people waiting in line, and people voting. You can expect to see painters’ tape on the floors of the sites, showing you where to stand.
Election officials will also have hand sanitizer in the voting locations and election workers will wear masks.
Voters are encouraged to wear masks, but it’s not required.
Absentee push
Voting in Marion County will be a little different than usual, because so many people voted absentee this year. Election officials pushed for as many people as possible to vote by mail for the 2020 primary, to ensure everyone’s safety. More than 123,000 people applied to vote by mail.
“Having that large number, as well as still preparing for in-person voting, did cause a substantial strain on our resources,” Hollis said.
It’s unclear if the waits will be longer, but Hollis said the lines may be longer, as people have to distance themselves more than usual.
To view a map of all 22 vote centers, visit vote.indy.gov.
