Indianapolis News and HeadlinesPolitics

Actions

Here's what's different about voting in Marion County this year

Posted at 4:30 PM, May 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-06 13:49:35-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Headed to the polls for the Marion County municipal primary election on Tuesday?

There are a few changes you need to know about.

First, you no longer have to vote at the pre-assigned polling place. You can vote at any of the 277 vote centers in Marion County.

“If you are a voter who is driving home from work or driving to work, you can vote at a vote center that's closer to your job, closer to where the kids' daycare is, anyplace that's more convenient for you,” Marion County Clerk’s Office Deputy Director Russell Hollis said. “You have that flexibility."

When you get to the center, you’ll no longer see the large poll books. Nor will you fill out your ballots on a sheet of paper.

Instead, you’ll be checked in with an iPad when it scans your driver’s license or ID. Then you fill in your answers through a touchscreen. The machine will print out a paper ballot that you insert into a reader.

Some of these changes have led to questions about election security and the privacy of the ballot.

But Hollis said there isn’t reason for concern.

“There is still a verifiable paper trail when you vote on election day and during the early voting period for that matter,” he said. “And, our voting machines are not connected to the internet."

Election day is Tuesday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. To find the vote center closest to you, click here.