Officials Announce New Updates To June Primary Election

(UNDATED) – Governor Eric Holcomb and Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced new updates the state is making for the June 2 primary – all with the aim of providing for a safe, free and secure election.

Last month, with the support of Governor Holcomb and Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer, as well as the Democrat Party Chair and Secretary Lawson, the Indiana 2020 Primary Election was moved from May 5 to June 2. 

Secretary Lawson unveiled a set of additional recommendations she’ll make to the Indiana Election Commission tomorrow:

  • Early, in-person voting will still occur, although during an abbreviated period.
    • Early voting will be available on May 26 – June 1. 
  • Absentee ballots submitted after Dec. 2, 2019, are accepted.
  • Secretary Lawson will procure personal protection equipment (PPE) for poll workers in all 92 counties.
    • Procurement of this PPE will not impact critical care and other medical supply chains.

Additionally, Indiana has requested $7.9 million from the federal election COVID-19 fund and will use these funds for PPE and cleaning supplies so our primary election can occur in a safe and healthy way for all Hoosier voters. 

Online recruitment efforts will be used to encourage younger Hoosiers – like our high school and college students – to sign up to be poll workers. 

In addition to moving the primary date, absentee voting was expanded to allow every Hoosier voter the option to vote with a mail-in absentee ballot for this primary election. Remember – if you’d like to use this voting method, you’ll need to request a ballot, and to date, more than 70,400 Indiana voters have requested their absentee ballot for the primary. 

Two important deadlines to know with the adjustments to the 2020 primary:

  • May 4 – deadline to register to vote.
  • May 21- deadline to request an absentee ballot. 

Due to the higher volume of absentee ballots and an expected decrease in the number of poll workers, it might take a little longer before officials get back primary results.