MADISON COUNTY — Primary Election Day 2022 is still weeks away, but early voting has already begun in Madison County, with several additional ballot casting options beginning soon.
“Everything seems to be going good,” Madison County Election Director Mary Retherford said Tuesday. “Of course it’s not as heavy as 2020. “
Even with some changes, including the use of electronic poll books, “Everything’s going well.”
Registered voters have been able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on the first floor of the Madison County Government Center, 16 E. Ninth St, Anderson, since April 5, almost a month before the May 3 Election Day.
Saturday hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. are also scheduled for April 23 and 30. On Monday, May 2, voting is 8 a.m. to noon.
Beginning Monday, April 18, through Saturday, April 30, voters will be to cast their ballot at any of the eight satellite voting locations in the county, including one at Pendleton Community Public Library, 595 E. Water St.
The satellite locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, April 23 and 30.
The county switched to vote centers this year, which enables voters to cast their ballot at any of the voting locations in the county regardless of where they live. On Primary Election Day, there will be 30 vote centers open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Olivia Pratt, Madison County Clerk, said she “put together a list of frequently asked election questions” with responses — including details about another option, absentee by mail voting — and shared them with The Times-Post.
Election FAQs
Q: Now that we’re a vote center county, what does that mean?
A: It means that registered voters may vote at any satellite or Election Day polling location in Madison County.
Q: How is that possible when we’ve always been assigned to one location based on our precinct?
A: We will now be utilizing e-poll books, as opposed to the paper poll books. E-poll books have every registered voter’s information in them, so a voter can get checked in at any location.
Q: Will people be able to vote more than once?
A: No. The e-poll books “talk” to each other in real time, so when someone checks in to vote at one location, all of the other locations are notified, so that person can’t go to another polling location and vote again.
Q: What if the e-poll books lose connection? Could someone then vote more than once?
A: If that were to happen, once the e-poll books regain their connection, we would receive an alert letting us know that someone had checked in at more than one location and we would then turn that voter’s information over to the prosecutor.
Q: Is our election equipment connected to the internet?
A: The ExpressVotes are not connected to the internet at all – they are simply ballot marking devices. The e-poll books utilize a secure internet connection in order to transmit voter check-in information.
Q: What are satellite centers?
A: Satellite centers are voting locations that are open prior to Election Day. They will be open for two weeks beginning on April 18 and will run through April 30 (with the exception of Sunday, April 24).
Q: Are there any other early voting options?
A: Yes. The courthouse will open on April 5 for early voting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. On the two Saturdays prior to Election Day, the courthouse will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Q: Am I still allowed to vote absentee by mail?
A: Yes. Absentee by mail voting is still an option for those unable to make it to a polling location. Absentee applications can be found online, or one can be emailed/mailed to you.
Q: I already submitted an absentee application, but I would prefer to vote early in-person, am I able to do that?
A: No. Once you submit an absentee application, you will be sent an absentee ballot – we can’t cancel your application. You aren’t allowed to turn in your blank absentee ballot at an early voting location and vote in-person, but you can turn in your blank absentee ballot on Election Day and vote in-person. Alternatively, you can complete your absentee ballot and hand-deliver it to an early voting location if you don’t want to mail it back.
Q: When is the last day to request an absentee by mail ballot?
A: Thursday, April 21 is the deadline to submit an absentee by mail application. The application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.
Q: Is my precinct-based voting location still available in addition to vote centers on Election Day?
A: No. Vote centers supersede the previous voting locations. Some of the prior locations are included on the Election Day list, but you are not required to vote at any location in particular.
Q: Since we’re able to vote at any location now, do I still need to update my voter registration information if it has changed?
A: Yes, you still need to update your information. You are allowed to vote once after having moved without updating your information. You can either update it prior to the voter registration deadline (April 4), or you can fill out a VRG-4/12 when you go to vote, and it will then be updated for the general election in November.
Q: Do I need to bring my ID to vote?
A: Yes. By law, your ID must: contain your photo, your name must conform to your voter registration record, contain an expiration date, and either be current or have expired after the date of the last general election (Nov. 3, 2020). Certain military and veterans IDs with no expiration date or an “indefinite” expiration date are acceptable. Your ID must be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. Government. If you are unable or unwilling to present your ID, you may cast a provisional ballot and then 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 an exemption applies to you.
Q: When I go to the polls to vote, if I don’t understand the process, how can I get help?
A: Every polling location will be staffed with poll workers ready to assist you. Please don’t be embarrassed to ask for help – you have the right to feel confident in understanding the voting process.
Q: Why is my ballot going to have a barcode?
A: You will receive a blank ballot with a barcode after you check in at the polls. This barcode is used to identify your precinct (and party affiliation for the primary) – it is not unique to any voter. This barcode will pull up your ballot when inserted into the voting machine. This way, when you go to vote, you can either have a judge take you to a machine and pull up your ballot, or you can do it yourself.
Q: If a candidate places their sign in my yard without approval, am I allowed to remove it?
A: Yes. If a candidate places a campaign sign in your yard without your consent, you have every right to remove it from your property. I would recommend reaching out to the candidate first, but if they do not remove it in a timely manner, you may dispose of it yourself.