While the Primary Election has been postponed to June 2, additional steps have been approved by Government Eric Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Republican Chairman Kyle Hupter and Democratic chairman John Zody.
• All Hoosiers will be allowed to vote by absentee ballot via mail.
• County clerks can mail ballots through 12 days prior to the primary.
• Ballots with a May 5, 2020, date will be valid.
• Medical professions will be eligible for travelling boards that help nursing home and hospital patients vote.
• Family members will be able to deliver each other’s absentee ballots.
• All deadlines would be moved 28 days for the June 2 primary. For example, overseas ballots would be due 45 days before the primary.
Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box recommends voters use the mail option — so the Primary Election delay and implementation of “no excuse” absentee ballots will give us opportunity to build advocacy for verifiable, auditable paper ballots across the state. The League is glad there is bi-partisan support for this measure and encourages all involved to work in a spirit of cooperation. We are delighted that Montgomery County Clerk Karyn Douglas outlined in her “Connect” column Monday the easy steps.
You can request to vote by mail now through May 21. To request a ballot be mailed to you, an application needs to be filled out telling what party’s ballot you would like the clerk to send. To request to vote by mail, contact the clerk’s office at 765-364-6437 or email at karyn.douglas@montgomerycounty.in.gov or alexa.richrson@montgomercounty.in.gov.
Once they recieve the application, they will mail the ballot. When you receive your ballot it will come with a postage paid envelope, so all you have to do is vote and put it back in your mailbox. It is that simple.
Early voting in person will begin May 5. Douglas encourages watching for updates on dates and times in the local papers and on the radio. Absentee voting in this primary will give us the benefits of veritable, auditable paper ballots across the state.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, multi-issue political organization, open to men as well as women which encourages informed and active participation in government, works in increase public understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For information about the LWV, visit the website www.lwvmontcoin.org or send a message to LWV, P.O. Box 101, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
