What you need to know for voting in the 2020 general election

By Nancy Price

Hoosiers anticipating absentee ballots can start checking their mailboxes.

“We’re working on mailing those out this week,” said Trena McLaughlin, clerk at Johnson County Clerk’s Office.

Those wanting to confirm they’re registered to vote or ensure their application has been received may go to indianavoters.com or call the clerk’s office at (317) 346-4450.

“Our biggest challenge will be getting voters to vote early and avoid large lines on election day,” added Johnson County Commissioner for District 3, Ron West. “We expect a record-breaking turnout this November.”

Johnson County voters planning to visit the polls in person on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, will have 22 locations from which to choose; Center Grove residents have several options close to home, including Mt. Pleasant Christian Church, White River Township Trustee’s Office, Mt. Auburn Methodist Church and White River Public Library (for a complete list, go to co.johnson.in.us and choose 2020 General Election Vote Centers).

To fill out an application for absentee voting, go to co.johnson.in.us and choose 2020 General Absentee Application. The deadline for the county to receive an application is Oct. 22 by 11:59 p.m. The application can be mailed, emailed or faxed. The mailing address is Voter Registration, P.O. Box 451, Franklin, IN 46131. To email the application, email johnsoncountyvoter@co.johnson.in.us or fax it to (317) 736-3798. To request that an application be mailed to your residence, contact the Voter Registration office at (317) 346-4466.

TO REGISTER IN INDIANA, you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• have resided in the precinct at least 30 days before the next election
• be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next general election
• not currently be imprisoned following a criminal conviction

You must possess an Indiana driver’s license, ID card or learner’s permit to use the state’s online voter registration system. If you don’t have an Indiana-issued ID, you can still register by mail to vote.

TO USE THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION FORM:

1. Print and fill out the National Registration Form at eac.gov/sites/default/files/eac_assets/1/6/Federal_Voter_Registration_ENG.pdf.
2. Box 6 – ID Number. Your state voter ID number is your 10-digit Indiana-issued driver’s license number. If you don’t have an Indiana driver’s license, then provide the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN). If you don’t have an SSN, then a voter ID number will be assigned to you. Please indicate which number was provided or write “none” if you don’t have an Indiana driver’s license or SSN. (Indiana Code 3-7-13-13)
3. Box 7 – Choice of Party. Indiana does NOT require that you register with a party to participate in partisan primary elections.
4. Box 8 – Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
5. Review the “Who can vote?” section above and check that you’re eligible.
6. Sign the form. Send the completed form by mail (or hand-deliver it) to your local election official; go to indianavoters.in.gov/CountyContact/Index.

ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS

Active-duty military, their families and overseas citizens can register to vote and request an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). To do so:

1. Go to fvap.gov/fpca or download a copy at fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/fpca.pdf. Your election official may have questions; please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
2. Send the application to your election official (go to fvap.gov/search-offices)
3. Please submit an FPCA as soon as possible by looking up recommended mailing dates by country and region at fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/VAO/RecommendedMailingDates.pdf
4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it. The following are recommended return dates to make sure your ballot arrives at your election office on time:

• 35 days before election – on a ship at sea: Sept. 28
• 30 days before election – outside the U.S.: Oct. 2
• 11 days before election – stateside: Oct. 23

5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven’t received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office at fvap.gov/search-offices. If, after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your election official first. Then:

• You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) at fvap.gov. Print, sign and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
• If you mail an FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program – FVAP.gov – offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Indiana. You can also call 1 (800) 438-VOTE or email vote@fvap.gov. You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct at indianavoters.in.gov.

EARLY VOTING

Early voting begins Oct. 6 at the Johnson County Courthouse, 4 E. Jefferson St., Franklin, IN 46131 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and on two Saturdays, Oct. 24 and 31, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; and every other day up to Monday, Nov. 2 (on that day, voting is from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Other satellite centers for early voting include White River Public Library, Greenwood Public Library. For a list of days, times and additional locations, go to co.johnson.in.us and choose 2020 General Election Vote Centers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING TO POLLS ON ELECTION DAY:

• A photo ID that displays your name, an expiration date (can be current or expired sometime after Nov. 6, 2018) and be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government. Acceptable forms include: an Indiana driver’s license or Indiana-issued photo ID card, military ID or U.S. Passport. A student ID from an Indiana State school may be used if it meets the above requirements. A student ID from a private institution may not be used for voting purposes.
• If you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail, you will also need to provide proof of residence to vote. Acceptable forms include (must show current name and current address): Indiana driver’s license or Indiana-issued ID card; any current and valid photo ID; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.
• Voters without ID: If you are unable or unwilling to present ID meeting these requirements, you may cast a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you have until noon 10 days after the election to follow up with the county election board and either provide the necessary documentation or affirm that one of the law’s exemptions applies to you.

Polls will be open on Election Day, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.