Hoosiers Begin To Cast Ballots As Early Voting Kicks Off

Last updated on Friday, October 14, 2016

(BEDFORD) - Early voting is officially underway.

Hoosiers can vote early in-person at their county clerk's office and in some counties at additional locations, ahead of the November 8th General Election.

In Lawrence County early voting will take place in the Voter Registration office, room 11, in the Lawrence County Courthouse basement.

The schedule is as follows:

October 17th - 21st 8:30am - Noon; 1 pm - 4:30pm
October 24th - 28th 8:30am - Noon; 1pm - 4:30pm
October 31st - Nov 4th 8:30am - Noon;1pm - 4:30pm
November 7th 8:30am - Noon only

Voters in line by Noon will be allowed to vote, leading to a one hour lunch break. Afternoon start times may vary.

Saturday Voting:

October 29th & November 5th 8:30am - 3:30pm

The office will not close for lunch on Saturdays.

If you have questions about voting call (812) 277-2036

Absentee ballots are also available by mail from county election offices. A voter can obtain an application to vote absentee by mail on the web at IndianaVoters.com.

You'll need to apply for an absentee ballot by mailing the application to your county clerk's office by Oct. 31st.

Anyone can vote early in-person, but there are some requirements to meet if you want to vote early by mail. You also must meet at least one of these requirements:

You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6 a.m. until 6 p.m.).
You have a disability.
You are at least 65 years of age.
You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
You are a "serious sex offender" as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).
You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls

Absentee voting by mail is a three-step process. A voter must submit an application to vote absentee; the voter needs to receive and mark an absentee ballot; then the voter must return their completed absentee ballot by mail.

You have the right to vote in Indiana if:

You are a U.S. citizen; AND
You are a resident of Indiana; AND
You will be at least 18 by November 8th; AND
You are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime; AND
You have lived in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days before the election; AND
You are registered to vote

Law Changes Straight Party Voting

Straight party voting has changed in Indiana and this November Hoosiers should take note before going to the polls.

Hoosiers will still be able to cast a straight ticket on November 8th, but that vote will not count for any individual candidate for county council or town council at-large.

Voters now need to select each candidate they wish to elect for at-large county council and town council seats.

Voter's Bill of Rights

Voters with questions are also encouraged to review the Voter's Bill of Rights. This publication explains your rights regarding:

the types of ballots to be used
if you're waiting in line when the polls close
who to contact if your rights are violated.

Anyone with questions about early voting can call the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-IN-1-VOTE.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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