HANCOCK COUNTY — The deadline to return absentee ballots in time for a vote to be counted is approaching, and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is advising voters to return their ballots in person rather than relying on the mail.
“We’re facing an unusual situation in this year’s primary, and given the volume of absentee ballot requests and returns, I want to make sure all Hoosiers are able to make their voice heard,” Lawson said in a news release.
A Hancock County absentee ballot must be received by the Hancock County Election Office no later than noon on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, in order for the vote to be counted.
Due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, Indiana made absentee voting an option in this year’s primary for all registered voters. The high number of voters using the option has caused some stress on the U.S. Postal Service, Lawson’s release said, and hand-delivering a ballot is a better option at this point to ensure it is not late.
Hancock County Clerk Lisa Lofgreen also encouraged voters to return their ballots at the Election Office rather than mailing them in. To drop off a ballot, voters can visit the Hancock County Courthouse during business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and leave their ballot in the secure drop box outside the Election Office on the second floor. Building security will allow members of the public into the building for that purpose.
For security reasons, there is no after-hours drop-off box for completed ballots.
Lofgreen reported that the Election Office received a number of applications for absentee ballots after the May 21 deadline for those requests. Lofgreen said her office contacted all of these voters who listed a phone number, or whose number was available in the Statewide Voter Registration System, to advise them to vote in person.
If voters have requested an absentee ballot and have not received one, they may call the Hancock County Election Office at 317-477-1109. Voters also can check the status of their ballots at indianavoters.com. If your request for an absentee ballot was received after the deadline, that will be reflected on the website.
Voters who received an absentee ballot still have the option to vote in person during early voting or on Election Day. To do this, they will need to bring their unreturned ballot and a photo ID to any Hancock County polling place. They will then fill out a form to void their absentee ballot and can cast a vote at the polling place.
Whether voting in person or dropping off a ballot, voters are encouraged to wear a mask and bring their own pen to fill in their choices on the paper ballots.
Lofgreen said that as of early Thursday afternoon, May 28, the county had received 4,348 returned mail-in ballots and recorded 965 in-person votes.
“All ballots received thus far remain in their envelope sealed by the voter until we begin opening those ballots on election morning,” Lofgreen said in an email. “No absentee ballot envelope will be opened until after 6 a.m. on Election Day, and every absentee ballot will count toward the end result.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”In-person voting locations” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Here is the list of polling places and their hours. These also will be the only vote centers open on Election Day next Tuesday, June 2:
–Hancock County Courthouse Annex, 111 American Legion Place, Commissioner’s Courtroom, first floor: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today (Friday, May 29). Also, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. Also, 8 a.m. to noon Monday, June 1.
–Buck Creek Township Fire Department, 5809 W. Airport Blvd., Mt. Comfort: 2 to 7 p.m. today. Also, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Hancock County Public Library main branch, 900 W. McKenzie Road, Greenfield: 2 to 7 p.m. today. Also, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Hancock County Public Library, Sugar Creek Branch, 5731 W. U.S. 52, New Palestine: 2 to 7 p.m. today. Also, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
All polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, June 2.
Personal protective equipment will be provided to all poll workers. Voters are asked to bring their own PPE and to consider bringing their own pens to fill out a ballot or operate an electronic voting machine.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Deadline to return absentee ballots: Noon on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2
Election officials now recommend dropping ballots off in person rather than mailing them at this late date.
The county election office, on the second floor in the county courthouse, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Friday, May 29) and Monday, June 1; it also is open to accept ballots until noon on Tuesday.
No after-hours dropoff is available for absentee ballots.
[sc:pullout-text-end]