Frankfort – With election turnout projections from the State of Indiana for the 2020 Presidential general election in-hand and having already received 765 valid requests for mail-in absentee applications, Rhea Harris, Clinton County Clerk of the Courts, made a request Tuesday during the Commissioners’ meeting to use the Commissioners’ meeting room, located in the courthouse, to conduct in-person absentee voting beginning October 6th.
“We have an election coming up … going back several years – 2012, 2016, and up to 2020 so far – the amount of voters that we have received in the past is a growing trend that our County has a significant turnout,” said Harris while addressing the three Clinton County Commissioners.
According to information obtained from the Indiana Secretary of State website, Clinton County had voter turnout exceeding 50% in the past two Presidential general elections – 2012 (54%) and 2016 (59%).
Harris spoke of the growing knowledge County residents have regarding the access to vote in-person absentee 28-days prior to election day. “The County people are aware now, beginning to become aware of the fact that we do have an absentee voting. The fact that they can come in 28-days before the election and they can vote by mail, which is much more secure here in Indiana than other states – those horror stories we hear in other states – a total different ball game here in Indiana. So, people don’t have to be afraid.”
During the 2020 primary held June 2nd, there were 41% of Clinton County voters that utilized some form of absentee voting – either mail-in or in-person and that number was 49% during the 2016 general election according to the Indiana Secretary of State website.
The State of Indiana provided guidance on voter turnout using three groupings – low, medium, and high – and Harris addressed how she prepares for elections. “Of course, I always go and plan for the high expectation and that is my expectation that we will be on the high expectation. I checked yesterday [Monday, Sep 14] and we’ve already had 765 valid requests for absentee applications. People are wanting to vote. We’re busy.
“With the amount of people that I expect to be here – in the courthouse, in person – I just don’t think my hallway and my office is going to be able to accommodate that.”
The Commissioners approved Harris’ request.
The State of Indiana recognizes 11 reasons to vote absentee by mail; however, any registered voter can vote absentee in-person without needing to provide a reason.
Here are the acceptable reasons:
1. 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 am until 6 pm).
2. You have a disability.
3. You are at least 65 years of age.
4. You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.
5. You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
6. 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.
7. You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.
8. You are a participant in the state’s address confidentiality program.
9. You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.
10. You are a “serious sex offender” as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).
11. You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls.
The last day to submit an application for a mail-in absentee ballot is Thursday, October 22, 2020, at 11:59 pm at the County Clerk’s office. All completed mail-in ballots must be received by noon on November 3rd. In-person voting runs from October 6th through November 2nd.
The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 5, 2020. Registering to vote can be completed online, by mail, or in-person.
Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
