INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- A federal judge says Indiana's Marion County must open at least two early voting sites before the November election.
U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker issued an injunction Wednesday ending what critics have called an effort to suppress voting in the Democratic-leaning county that includes Indianapolis. The additional sites won't be required for the May primary due to time constraints.
Barker, who was nominated to the federal court by President Ronald Reagan, issued the ruling in response to a lawsuit by the Indianapolis NAACP and Common Cause Indiana. The suit said a lack of locations suppressed voting rights in urban communities with diverse populations.
The Marion County Election Board released the following statement:
"The Marion County Election Board understands the federal court’s order to require implementation of satellite voting locations for the 2018 General Election this fall. The Board will of course comply with the court’s order. In addition, the Board looks forward to the continuing work of the bi-partisan election and administration planning committee, which is tasked with implementing a new system of vote centers and early voting sites beginning with the 2019 Primary Election.”
Marion County's only early voting site is in downtown Indianapolis. Republicans had cited cost concerns for having only one location.
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