Indiana Election Commission Order 2020-40

Today, the Indiana Election Commission voted unanimously to enact Indiana Election Commission Order 2020-40, implementing a number of emergency provisions for the delayed Primary Election now scheduled for June 2nd, 2020. The goal of this order was to provide clarity, guidance, and flexibility to county election administrators as they begin executing the June 2nd Primary.  The order, which is attached here, includes the following adjustments to the normal primary election process:

1. Ensures that we will have an in-person election statewide on the planned June 2nd Primary Election Date.
2. Limits the start of early voting in person from 28 days to 7 days prior to the election.  The period of absentee in-person voting will begin Tuesday, May 26th and end at noon (prevailing local time), Monday, June 1st. 
3. Re-enforces that there is no “home rule” authority to order or conduct elections in Indiana, meaning that all localities across the state must abide by state election laws and guidelines.
4. Requires the Secretary of State and the Indiana Election Commission to provide to each county special procedures and guidelines for carrying out a safe election under the given circumstance.
5. Advises counties that under Indiana Code, public buildings shall be made available to be designated as polling locations or vote center locations for the June 2, 2020, Primary Election. 
6. Gives county election administrators flexibility on the number of central count locations to allow for appropriate social distancing.
7. Ensures that each vote center county will have at least one vote center per 25,000 active voters. 
8. Reiterates Indiana Code which allows for the consolidation of adjoining precincts
9. Allows for the nomination of any registered Indian voter as precinct election officers, absentee board members, and poll watchers.

Throughout this order, we successfully advocated for maintaining the usual unanimous vote requirement needed to make changes to local election planning.  It is essential that our Indiana GOP Chairmen and their election board appointees are fully engaged in any discussions on consolidating precincts or vote centers and in setting the number of central count locations.  Having seen unsuccessful elections carried out in places like Wisconsin, it is clear that any effort to consolidate precincts should be done responsibly, with a focus on the public health and safety of voters and election workers.  Consolidation of polling locations and vote centers if not done responsibly, may lead to long lines, and increased health risk to both.  Proper attention should be paid to appropriate public health guidance (as included in Order 2020-40), social distancing, and hygiene throughout the election planning process. 

As usual, the Indiana Republican Party stands ready to offer guidance and advise as desired.  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions about this or anything else relating to the June 2, Primary Election.