Satellite voting centers opening; 1 in 5 Hoosiers have already voted in record early turnout
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – About 1 in 5 of the state’s 4,753,425 registered voters had cast their ballots by Thursday, according to figures from the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office.
Through Thursday, a total of 559,754 requested absentee by-mail ballots in Indiana. Of the mail-in ballots issued, 390,740, or about 70%, have been returned to county clerk’s offices by mail. Thursday was the deadline to request an absentee ballot.
Also through Thursday, 530,854 cast ballots at early-voting locations in Indiana.
The Secretary of State’s Office said Thursday a record 1,042,319 Hoosiers had requested absentee ballots or voted early through Wednesday for the Nov. 3 election taking place in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In 2016, during the entire period of absentee voting for both in-person and by-mail, 977,239 ballots were submitted,” said a news release issued Thursday by the Secretary of State’s office.
Hoosiers who wish to vote before Nov. 3 will have to visit their county clerk’s office or, if their county has one, a satellite voting center.
Early voting sites for Marion, Hamilton counties
With more than 6,000 residents voting in person on Friday — including Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen — Marion County surpassed the number of in-person and mail-in absentee votes cast statewide in 2016.
Marion County will have voting at the City-County Building from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning Monday through Oct. 30. In addition, satellite voting centers will open beginning Saturday morning at these locations.
- Krannert Park Community Center
- Lawrence Township Education and Community Center
- Perry Township Government Center
- St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
- Warren Township Government Center
Marion County reported Friday a total of 93,535 ballots cast early, including 28,315 in person and 64,643 by mail. About 68% of the ballots sent from the Marion County clerk had been returned by Friday.
Hamilton County has two early-voting locations open at the Hamilton County Government & Judicial Center and the Hamilton County 4-H Grounds, both in Noblesville. Five additional voting centers began Wednesday at these locations:
- Jill Perelman Pavilion, 3000 W. 116th St., Carmel.
- Mercy Road Church, 2381 Pointe Parkway, Carmel.
- Billericay Park Building, 12690 Promise Road, Fishers.
- Roy G. Holland Memorial Park Building, 1 Park Drive, Fishers.
- Westfield City Hall, 130 Penn St., Westfield.
- Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 E. 151st St., Carmel
As numerous officials have previously said, Lawson noted the early balloting by voters will mean final election results may not be available on the night of Nov. 3.
Hoosier voters can track their absentee ballot, look up early voting sites, and find contact information for their county clerk at IndianaVoters.com.
In June’s primary, which was delayed a month due to the pandemic, 640,225 Hoosiers voted absentee in-person or by-mail.