But first you may need to know where
During the Spencer County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, May 12, Commissioners put their stamp of approval on a realignment of voting locations for the Primary Election scheduled for Tuesday, June 2.
According to Attorney Jeff Lindsey, there are multiple reasons for the realignment, including the need for solid internet connection at the polling sites. In addition, the health and safety of voters, election officials and poll workers was also taken into consideration due to the pandemic.
Lindsey said it is possible the county will move to Voting Centers for the Fall General Election and if it’s not doable then, it will happen in the future.
So what does that mean?
Voting Centers would allow Spencer County residents to vote anywhere in the county. Ballots differ in different areas of the county; for example, North Spencer residents vote for North Spencer School Board members while South Spencer residents vote for South Spencer School Board members. In municipal elections, residents of Richland vote for Richland Town Council members while Santa Claus residents vote for Santa Claus Town Council members.
However, there are commonalities, especially with state and national elections and many county offices (think clerk, treasurer, auditor, recorder, coroner, prosecutor and judge).
As stated, residents could vote at any polling location, which would be convenient for someone living in Rockport and working in Dale (or vice versa). All polling places would have all Spencer County ballots and the polling judge would insert the correct district in the voting machine for that particular voter.
That’s for the future.
For now, here is where Spencer Countians should vote on June 2.
• Moved the Mariah Hill (Carter 1) polling place to the Dale Community Center so Carter 1, 2 and 3 will all vote at the Community Center
• No change for Clay 1, 2, 3 and Carter 4 voting at the Santa Claus Community Center
• Harrison 1 and Huff join Harrison 2 at the Fulda Sportsman Club
• Grass 2 and Jackson join Glass 1 at the Spencer County Youth and Community Center in Chrisney
• Hammond 2 moves to Grandview Fire Station with Hammond 1
• Luce 1, 2 and 3 vote at the Luce Government Center in Richland
• Ohio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 vote at the LEC Gym (former high/middle school a/k/a A.H. Kennedy Center) in Rockport
Early voting
Early voting begins Tuesday, May 26 and continues through Friday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Monday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Youth and Community Center (4-H Center) in Chrisney.
Absentee voting
All voters may choose to cast a ballot by mail in the Primary Election.
Registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot to vote-by-mail or traveling board by logging in to their my voter portal page on IndianaVoters.com.
Can’t visit the portal? Call the Spencer County Voter Registration office at 812-649-6017 and leave a message or call Clerk Sara Arnold at 812-649-6029.
Your completed ballot must be received by midnight on May 21 so don’t delay.
Voting by mail is encouraged (and valid), especially for those 65 and over with any health issues as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
General Election Information on Absentee Ballots
All registered voters in Indiana are eligible to vote absentee-in-person at the county election board office beginning 28 days before Election Day. (For the June 2, 2020, primary election, in-person absentee voting was reduced to Tuesday, May 26, to noon, Monday, June 1, pursuant to IEC Order 2020-40.
In order to vote absentee-by-mail in the November 3, 2020 election, one of the following must apply (No reason is required to be marked or included when applying for a vote-by-mail ballot in the June 2, 2020, Primary Election pursuant to IEC Order 2020-37):
• 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 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 participant in the state’s address confidentiality program.
• 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.
Note: Voters voting absentee-by-mail are NOT required to show photo ID.
In order to vote absentee-by-traveling board, one of the following must apply:
• The voter expects to be confined, due to illness or injury, or the voter expects to be caring for a confined person at a private residence, on Election Day.
• The voter is a voter with disabilities and believes their polling place is not accessible to them.
• The voter is physically unable to complete the ballot and sign the affidavit on their own.
• The ballot will be delivered to you by a bi-partisan absentee voter board who will be able to assist you with your ballot.
• Voters voting by traveling board are NOT required to show photo ID.
