State Pushes Primary Election to June
(WISH-TV Photo/David Williams)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson have announced a plan to move the state’s primary election from May 5 to June 2. The governor signed an executive order to suspend Indiana’s election statute and move dates as Indiana continues to deal with COVID-19 pandemic.
“We all have a right to elect our leaders in a free and open and, of course, a safe environment,” Holcomb said in a news conference Friday. “It’s one of the cornerstones you might say of this great nation so it stands to reason that rescheduling such an election should only be done in a time of emergency and, by definition, we find ourselves in that situation.”
Holcomb says the decision was made to not only protect the health of voters, but also county employees and poll workers. The governor says Indiana Republican Party Chair Kyle Hupfer and Democratic Party Chair John Zody have agreed with the state’s decision.
In addition to election day itself, all dates corresponding with the primary election, such as the date required for military and overseas ballots to be mailed, will be moved by 28 days to reflect the change.
Holcomb, Lawson, Hupfer and Zody have made additional recommendations to the Indiana Election Commission, including:
- 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.
The Indiana Election Commission will hold a meeting next Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse to discuss the recommendations.
“All of these steps will be in concert to ensure that our election process will continue and that every eligible voter is given the opportunity to vote in the June 2 primary,” said Lawson. “It will be a learning process for all of us and we’ll continue to work together in the days and weeks ahead. I am confident that we will conduct a safe, secure and fair election.”
Several Indiana political officials released statements regarding Friday’s decision:
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer:
“Hoosiers have always come together in times of crisis and today’s bipartisan announcement to move Indiana’s primary election to June 2 is yet another example of that unity. Moving our primary is not a step we took lightly, but it is necessary. Moving to June 2 will provide for the safety and security of all involved in the election process and allow additional time for those tasked with the job of conducting the election to prepare. I’m grateful for the leadership of Governor Holcomb and Secretary Lawson and appreciate Chairman Zody’s commitment to a bipartisan solution.”
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers):
“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.”
Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson):
“It’s disappointing that this pandemic has forced us to have to move our quickly-approaching primary election. However, I’m glad our state could come to a bipartisan agreement on what to do. It’s clear that we must protect our constitutional right to vote while ensuring the health and security of voters, poll workers and election officials are top priorities during this outbreak.
“Now that we have an extra four weeks before our primary, I would hope we use this time to make mail-in voting a more comprehensive and viable option for Hoosiers. The state needs to encourage voters to take this option during the election and remove all existing barriers to exercising this right. Let’s educate Indiana residents on the overwhelming safety and convenience of mail-in voting. Any Hoosier that wants a mail-in ballot should get one, no questions asked.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett:
“In the midst of this public health crisis, there is no place for partisan posturing or political games. That’s why I was heartened to see the bipartisan collaboration of Governor Holcomb, Secretary Lawson, Chairman Zody and Chairman Hupfer, and I fully support their decision to move the Indiana primary to June 2, 2020.
Moving forward, we must continue to prioritize the safety of Indianapolis residents and redouble our efforts to make the June 2nd primary election as accessible as possible. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the City of Indianapolis will be taking unprecedented steps to enable and encourage voting by mail, including mailing every registered voter an absentee ballot application with instructions on how they can request to vote by mail.
Our city’s ability to ensure that every resident can vote on Election Day is vital to the health of both our community and our democracy.”