GREENFIELD — The Hancock County Election Office is participating in a routine statewide effort to update voter rolls and will send mailers out to voters in hopes of tracking those whose addresses have changed.
The process, conducted on a biannual basis, is required by state law. It is intended to remove outdated or inaccurate information from the state’s voter rolls.
The first mailers were sent out to registered voters on Monday, May 17. Voters should receive a postcard marked as official election mail. The postcard instructs residents that if they are the addressee, they are already registered at their current address and do not need to take further action.
If they are not the addressee, they should write “return to sender” on the card and place it back in the mail to be returned to the election office.
If the first mailer is returned as undeliverable, a second mailer will be sent by forwardable first class mail, with a voter response card including prepaid postage that must be returned through the mail by Aug. 27.
Those with an inactive or canceled voter registration will not receive a mailer.
The county election office will update its voter registration records based on this process, and those who have changed addresses and do not respond will be moved to “inactive” voter status. Inactive voters are not removed from state voter rolls and are eligible to vote in any general or primary election through 2025, if they are otherwise qualified. If they do vote in any of those elections, they will be returned to active voter status.
If the inactive voter does not vote in an election or update their voter registration by January 2025, they will have their registration marked as “canceled.” These voters’ names are not listed on Election Day poll lists, but they may qualify through a fail-safe and cast a ballot during subsequent elections if they make an oral or written statement that they continue to reside at their last listed address.
Voter registration cannot be removed because of a change in residency without proper notice, so those in any doubt about their status should ensure it is correct before the next time they vote. If you believe you are registered at your current address and do not receive a mailer, you should verify your registration online at indianavoters.com or by contacting the election office at 317-477-1109.
This is an off year for regularly scheduled elections. The next election is May 3, 2022.