Gov. Holcomb has no plans to expand mail-in absentee voting
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana’s governor said Wednesday he has no plans to expand mail-in absentee voting despite concerns about the coronavirus.
Current state law says Hoosiers who want to vote by mail must have an excuse for not voting in person. Those reasons include disability, being out of town, work duties, lack of transportation and age.
At a videoconference briefing Wednesday, Gov. Eric Holcomb said he believes polling sites were safe during Indiana’s primary election in June, and in-person voting did not contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
“Voting sites all had PPE (personal protective equipment). They were all able to conduct safe elections. I don’t know of a single case. I’ve asked this question 10 times, 10 different ways of 10 different people, if they knew of one case where someone got COVID-19 while voting at one of our sites on Election Day, and the answer has be ‘no’ to date.”
Holcomb added that Indiana’s attorney general is reviewing if it would be legal to expand mail-in voting. He expects that decision in September.
To vote absentee in Indiana, Hoosiers must fill out paperwork to request a ballot by Oct. 22.