Gov. Eric Holcomb announced March 20 that Indiana’s primary election will move from May 5 to June 2.
All dates corresponding with the primary election will be moved by 28 days to reflect the new date of the primary.
“The right of citizens to elect their leaders in a free and open election is one of the cornerstones of America,” Holcomb said. “To balance that right with the safety of county employees, poll workers and voters, delaying Indiana’s primary election is the right move as we continue to do all we can to protect Hoosiers’ health.”
In addition, the following recommendations have been made to the Indiana Election Commission:
- Suspend absentee by-mail rules to allow all Hoosiers the option to vote by mail in the upcoming primary election.
- Allow county clerks to continually mail ballots from now through 12 days out from the new primary election date.
- Confirm ballots with a May 5, 2020, date will be valid.
- Give family members the ability to deliver absentee ballots. Currently only a member of a voter’s household may take possession of their ballot.
Indiana Election Commission Chairman Paul Okeson has called a meeting of the Indiana Election Commission at 10 a.m. March 25 to discuss the recommendations. The meeting will be held in the south atrium of the Indiana Statehouse.
