Gov. Eric Holcomb signed an executive order Friday moving Indiana’s primary election to June 2 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state is working to ensure Hoosiers have the option of mail-in voting.
All other county voting deadlines have also been extended. Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler said the voter registration deadline has been moved to May 4. Early voting dates and absentee ballot voting will start May 26 and end June 1.
The state is encouraging residents to participate in absentee-by-mail voting. This allows residents to cast their vote by mail and avoid polling locations. Residents can register for an absentee-by-mail ballot online.
Wheeler said the Monroe County Election Board hopes mail-in voting will bring in more voters than usual.
“Monroe County is really hoping people will vote by mail because we don’t know what the early voting week will look like,” Wheeler said. “We think the safest way to vote is by mail and avoiding lines at polling locations.”
In-person voting will take place June 2. While Monroe County is urging residents to mail in their ballot, in-person voting will still be an option. Wheeler said the election board is still deciding how many polling stations will be open. She warned that wait times may be longer due to health restrictions.
Wheeler said polling locations will reduce the number of ebook check-ins from six to two. There will also be X’s on the floor to mark where voters can stand six feet apart, fewer people will be able to vote at one time and employees will wear masks and gloves.
