Indiana Primary Election Day Moved To June 2

Governor Holcomb announced the bi-partisan decision Friday morning.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Primary Election Day is being delayed in Indiana. 

Governor Eric Holcomb announced Friday that a bi-partisan decision has been made to move the May 5 primary to June 2. 

“The right of citizens to elect their leaders in a free and open election is one of the cornerstones of America. In order 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,” said Gov. Holcomb.

All dates corresponding with the primary election will be moved by 28 days to reflect the new date of the primary. For example, military and overseas ballots are required to mailed 45 days prior to the primary election, so they’ll move 45 days prior to June 2.

In addition, Governor Holcomb, Secretary Lawson, Chairman Hupfer and Chairman Zody made the following recommendations 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.
• Enable medical professionals to be eligible members of traveling boards to vote nursing home and hospital patients.
• Give family members the ability to deliver absentee ballots. Currently only a member of a voter’s household may take possession of their ballot.

Ohio and Kentucky have made similar changes. Ohio voters will head to the ballot box on June 2 while the Kentucky primary will be held June 23. In all, 23 states have yet to hold a primary election. 

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody issued the following statement:

“This is an unprecedented time for our state and nation. Hoosier Democrats believe that holding the election on May 5 and expanding the right to vote through mail-in options was the appropriate decision. However, it has become clear the window for that to happen is quickly closing and we must first be concerned about the health and safety of the public. 

"Accordingly, Hoosier Democrats have reached an agreement with our Republican counterparts to move the May 5 primary to June 2. Republicans have agreed to join a bipartisan petition to the Election Commission for an unprecedented expansion of vote by mail for the primary election. That includes petitioning the Indiana Election Commission to: move to no-fault absentee voting; develop an email option to submit an application to vote by mail; allow any ballots already in motion for the May primary to be counted in June; expand options for how ballots are transported and who may serve on a traveling board; and keep the absentee window open now through the June election.

"Both agreements will require the unanimous approval of the Indiana Election Commission, which is made up of two Democrats and two Republicans.

“This is about ensuring the safety of Hoosier voters and election workers. There’s no assurance the pandemic threat will pass by June 2 and the Trump administration is projecting a timetable of 18 months or longer. To that end, we believe a primary election conducted almost completely by mail is the safest option and Hoosier Democrats will continue to work toward that goal.

“This agreement will lead to a historic expansion of Hoosiers’ voting rights. We fully expect every Hoosier that wants to vote by mail in the June 2 primary, to be able. It will bring down barriers to the ballot box and throw open the door to freer, fairer elections in the Hoosier state."

House Speaker Todd Huston:

“In the face of an unprecedented public health emergency, Gov. Eric Holcomb and Secretary of State Connie Lawson, with the support of both political parties, are making the right call by pushing back our primary election to June 2. I also support the option of allowing all voters to use mail-in absentee ballots for the primary election to preserve citizens' rights while protecting Hoosiers."